Ankalaev Wants Costa Next — 'Unless He's Going to Be Running Away'

Magomed Ankalaev got his hand raised Saturday in Abu Dhabi, then spent the post-fight press conference talking about a fight that hasn't been booked yet. The No. 1 light heavyweight contender dragged Bogdan Guskov — a 15-knockout finisher ranked ninth in the division — into a grind before stopping him in the fifth round. It was a win, not a highlight, and the Etihad Arena crowd let him know it.

Enter Paulo Costa. "Borrachinha" watched the main event and posted that he intends to save the weight class from monotony, which is exactly the kind of bait Ankalaev seems happy to bite on. Asked about it afterward through a translator, Ankalaev said he wasn't sure whether Costa was trying to annoy him or just get his attention — but that if the champion's shelf time stretches out, he'd take the fight. His caveat: only if Costa doesn't run.

Why Costa's Even in the Conversation

Costa's résumé at 205 is short but loud. He moved up from middleweight and, at UFC 327, knocked out No. 8 Azamat Murzakanov in the third round — a genuine statement against a fighter who'd only lost once in 17 pro bouts (16-1). One fight, one finish, and suddenly the ex-title challenger is shaking up the rankings and openly chasing gold at light heavyweight.

The timing works, too. UFC 333 was announced during Saturday's broadcast for Oct. 24, back in Abu Dhabi, and Ankalaev said he'd happily headline it if the promotion and Costa are game. His pitch was blunt: he keeps having to hunt opponents down, and if Costa actually wants to stand and trade, he'll oblige. The subtext after a five-round grind against Guskov wasn't subtle.

The Title Picture Behind It

The bigger prize is still the belt. Champion Carlos Ulberg is hurt and there's no return date — Ulberg sits at 15-1 and folded Jiří Procházka in the first round last time out, so nobody's rushing him. That vacuum is precisely why Ankalaev wants to stay busy rather than wait around for a shot at Ulberg or a vacant title.

And he hasn't shelved the Alex Pereira business either. Their championship series is level at 1-1, and Ankalaev made clear he's ready to break the tie if Pereira drops back to 205 after coming up short in his interim heavyweight bid. Pereira (13-4, 11 KO) is currently ranked third at light heavyweight following a second-round KO loss to Ciryl Gane. Ankalaev name-checked "Chama" directly, saying the UFC would be glad to make that one too. For now, though, Costa's the fight that's actually on the table — if he shows up to it.