Magomed Ankalaev has given his reaction to Paulo Costa shutting down an offer to fight him on short notice.

When Khalil Rountree suffered an injury in preparation for a planned clash with Ankalaev, it put the July 25 bout in disarray. Rountree was officially removed from the fight and UFC matchmakers needed a replacement. “Borrachinha” had a chance to step up, but he told Ariel Helwani that the timing of such a matchup wouldn’t have allowed him to make the light heavyweight limit (via MMAJunkie).

“It’s so short notice, less than 14 days to get on a flight to Abu Dhabi,” Costa said. “Sixteen-hour flight to Abu Dhabi for five rounds, for the same money, and not for an interim belt. I don’t think this makes sense right now. I thought about it, but it doesn’t make sense. My weight is not bad. I’m 234 (pounds) right now. I should start a very strict diet because I need like seven or eight weeks to make weight properly. Different than when I fight middleweight, when I needed 12, maybe 14 weeks.”

Ankalaev caught wind of Costa’s comment, and he hopped on X to suggest that they eventually collide before the end of 2026.

“I agree with him—fight me,” Ankalaev responded. “They don’t need eight weeks; they need ten years. I’ll win my next fight, and then you and I can fight in October or November. It would be my pleasure”

The UFC brass ultimately did find a replacement opponent for Anaklaev. The former UFC light heavyweight titleholder will now be facing Bogdan Guskov inside Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Guskov went to a draw with Jan Blachowicz in his last outing back in late 2025.

Do you understand why Paulo Costa turned down the short-notice fight against Magomed Ankalaev, or did he miss out on a big opportunity? Share your opinion in the comments below.