Paulo Costa claims UFC “offer very low numbers” for Brazilian fighters

Paulo “Borrachinha” Costa. Photo: Gary A. Vasquez – USA TODAY Sports

Middleweight Paulo Costa’s clinch with the UFC is still going strong.

Even though the fight against Robert Whittaker won’t happen at UFC 284, the Brazilian still wants to compete against the former champion, or another opponent in March, if the price is right.

In a recent interview on The MMA Hour, he claimed that Hunter Cahmpbell offered him a six-fight deal ahead of the Whittaker bout, but the deal was not profitable enough.

“I’m not looking for six more fights, not at the numbers that he sent me. I don’t think this makes sense. I’m talking about one fight specifically, not six,” Costa said. “I did this in the past, five years ago, 2017, and I’m paying for this mistake even now, because I’m so outdated.”

Read more: UFC prices raising again – 4th time (!) since ESPN broadcast deal

Paulo Costa: “Don’t do it for free”

In the interview, Paulo Costa also claimed that Brazilian fighters often get stuck in long-term fighting deals with the promotion. Deals that eventually make the fighters undervalued.

“I think they just actually offer very low numbers for Brazilians,” Costa said. “Maybe they think, ‘Ah, those motherfuckers in Brazil, they live in the jungle, they don’t need real money because the currency’s like five times less than dollars, so let’s pay bullshit.’”

Enough is enough according to the former title challenger.

“At some point, I should say stop, I will not do that. But I didn’t, because we’re Brazilians — we just want to fight. We don’t care too much,” Costa said. “If you are good at something, don’t do it for free — or for shit money.’ I did a lot in the past, and it’s enough.”

Read more: Tricky position for No. 1 ranked Sean O’Malley: “Doesn’t really make sense to fight”

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