Magomed Ankalaev is already looking ahead to his next move after UFC Abu Dhabi, and Paulo Costa appears to be on his radar for October. The light heavyweight contender reportedly offered the matchup while making it clear he would be willing to "stand and bang," a message aimed at fans who want a more action-heavy fight.
The callout comes after Ankalaev delivered another effective but not especially thrilling performance. Against Bogdan Guskov in Abu Dhabi, he stayed patient, controlled the tempo and gradually broke his opponent down before getting the finish late after five rounds.
That result keeps Ankalaev moving forward in the chase for UFC gold, even if the style of the win sparked debate. He has built a reputation for technical, disciplined performances, but this latest post-fight push suggests he also wants to answer criticism about entertainment value.
A potential Magomed Ankalaev vs. Paulo Costa fight in October would immediately stand out because of the contrast in styles and personalities. For Ankalaev, it would be another chance to stay active, strengthen his position in the title picture and show that he can deliver both results and excitement.
