Magomed Ankalaev has signaled that Paulo Costa is a serious option for his next fight, adding fresh intrigue to the post-UFC Abu Dhabi conversation. Based on the latest back-and-forth, Ankalaev appears interested in making the matchup happen after his recent win.
The potential bout picked up attention after Costa's negative reaction tied to UFC Abu Dhabi. Ankalaev answered by making it clear he would welcome the fight, and reports around the exchange also pointed to the idea of an interim title matchup.
Ankalaev's position, however, came with a challenge. He indicated that he is open to facing Costa only if Costa is prepared to engage rather than avoid the action. That framing gives the possible matchup a sharper edge and adds more interest for fans following both fighters.
For now, there is no confirmed booking, but the public exchange has put Magomed Ankalaev vs Paulo Costa firmly into the next-fight discussion. If the UFC chooses to move on the idea, it would already have a storyline built around recent reactions, momentum, and the question of whether Costa accepts the challenge.
