Paulo Costa Is Ready To Make Third Divisional Jump in Pursuit of Grudge Match Against Josh Hokit

Paulo Costa calls for the UFC to remove Derrick Lewis and make him Josh Hokit's opponent on the upcoming UFC Freedom 250 card.

Paulo Costa Is Ready To Make Third Divisional Jump in Pursuit of Grudge Match Against Josh Hokit

Paulo Costa wants to fight Josh Hokit (via MMA Fighting)

In Short
  • Paulo Costa is pursuing a grudge match against heavyweight contender Josh Hokit after their recent fights at UFC 327.
  • Costa's dominant light heavyweight debut included a knockout victory, while Hokit earned decision wins and performance bonuses on the same card.
  • Tensions between Costa and Hokit have escalated, with Costa humorously asking Hokit for bonus money and hinting at moving up to the heavyweight division.

Paulo Costa remains one of the most exciting and unintentionally hilarious fighters on the UFC roster, blending elite competition with a chaotic persona. While he excels inside the cage, his sharp trash talk and unpredictable social media presence have fueled his popularity. That online personality is again a focal point, as the Brazilian is now actively engaged in a rivalry with heavyweight contender Josh Hokit.

Costa last fought at UFC 327 in the co-main event, delivering a dominant performance in his light heavyweight debut by knocking out formerly undefeated Azamat Murzakanov. The victory extended his winning momentum after months of inactivity and marked a strong return to form for the Brazilian contender. It also reinforced his ability to make an immediate impact in a new division as he immediately entered the rankings at 205lbs.

Hokit, who was also on the same card, earned a decision win over heavyweight veteran Curtis Blaydes, securing both Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night bonuses. That outcome left Costa frustrated as he did not receive similar recognition. Since then, ‘The Eraser’ has escalated tensions, even hinting at stepping in as a backup for Hokit’s next fight against Derrick Lewis at UFC Freedom 250.

Right now, I think practically all the fans would like to see how I, who was perhaps the biggest middleweight in history, would fare against Hokit in the Heavyweight division without cutting any weight at the White House. wouldn’t be surprised if I came in heavier than him. If Trump still wants Derick there, book him with somebody else .

Paulo Costa via X

The two fan favorites have remained at odds ever since, with tensions steadily building in the aftermath of UFC 327. Following the event, Costa texted UFC CEO Dana White to express his disappointment over missing out on a bonus payment. He later took a humorous turn by messaging Hokit and asking him to send over the bonus money, sparking a hilarious back-and-forth exchange between the two fighters.

Costa moving up to heavyweight is not a new storyline, as the Brazilian has hinted at a jump to the 265-pound division multiple times in the past. His natural size and power have consistently fueled those discussions throughout his UFC run. This was especially evident during his exchanges with Derek Brunson, who repeatedly labeled him as a heavyweight during their trash talk, reinforcing that narrative.

Even though Costa wants to replace Derrick Lewis, the scenario appears unlikely, as U.S. President Donald Trump personally requested that Dana White include ‘The Black Beast’ on the White House card. That backing makes it difficult to make any last-minute changes.

However, Costa is also in the President’s good graces, having interacted with him following his UFC 327 win, adding another layer to the situation.

Paulo Costa calls out Jiri Prochazka’s explanation for UFC 327 loss

UFC 327 crowned a new light heavyweight champion as Carlos Ulberg knocked out Jiri Prochazka to claim the vacant title in a dramatic finish. Moments before the knockout, Ulberg had injured his knee and was visibly unsteady, struggling to find his footing inside the cage. Despite that setback, he managed to land a clean left hook that ended the fight and secured undisputed championship gold.

Paulo Costa
Paulo Costa (via MMA Mania)

However, after the fight, Prochazka revealed he had noticed Ulberg’s injury and lowered his guard to show mercy, calling it a grave mistake rather than an excuse on his part. The admission quickly drew widespread scrutiny, with many questioning his decision-making in such a high-stakes title fight. Paulo Costa also weighed in, openly criticizing Prochazka’s explanation and firmly dismissing the idea behind it.

Carlos did well… His leg was totally compromised. [Saying he showed mercy] is just excuses, 100%. If he has mercy, he’s in the wrong sport. He should be doing something else.

Paulo Costa via The Ariel Helwani Show

The situation now adds an interesting layer to the division, especially with Costa competing at light heavyweight alongside Jiri Prochazka. A potential matchup between the two remains a possibility given their proximity in the rankings and growing tension. Costa’s move into the division has opened up multiple opportunities, placing him in the mix for several high-profile fights moving forward.

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