Former UFC title challenger Paulo Costa has one of the most entertaining social media presences among fighters. The middleweight star often uses his Twitter account to make outlandish statements and jokes. Recently, the Brazilian powerhouse released the news of his new UFC contract. Following his new and improved deal with the promotion, the 31-year-old has made another outlandish callout. This time he went after a former UFC champion who is two-weight classes above him.

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In a recent tweet, Paulo Costa called out ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou. What’s more, Costa called him out to a boxing match, adding that the rule set did not make a difference to him. However, fans had a few different opinions about Costa’s latest shenanigan.

Paulo Costa calls out Francis Ngannou

Paulo Costa last fought at UFC 278 in August 2022. He beat former champion Luke Rockhold in the co-main event. ‘Borrachinha’ has been on the sidelines ever since. Despite serious talks, a fight against Robert Whittaker at UFC 284 in Australia did not materialize owing to his contract situation.

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Paulo Costa

Imago

Now, with the help of his girlfriend/manager Tamara Alves, Costa has struck a new deal with the UFC. He also teased a return against Sean Strickland or Khamzat Chimaev. Nevertheless, the quirky Costa had to sneak in another callout to keep the fans entertained.

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The Brazilian called out Francis Ngannou, offering to step in as the latter did not have an opponent yet for a boxing match. Costa also stated he was willing to take his gloves off, possibly hinting at BKFC, which has been linked to Ngannou since his UFC exit.

He wrote, “Hey Francis I heard you’re looking for a boxer opponent. If u prefer I can put my gloves off too. It’s up to you big brother.”

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Read More“Absolute Beast” Paulo Costa Sets Off UFC Fans with Inasne Training Footage & “Fight News”: “Late April”

However, fans had a few different suggestions for Costa in the response to his tweet.

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Fans react to Costa’s tweet

In the responses, one fan asked Costa to focus on fighters currently signed to the UFC.

Another fan came up with a new and interesting moniker for the middleweight.

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Another fan warned him against the consequences, reminding him of the Israel Adesanya fight.

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Meanwhile, some fans had jokes about Costa and his ‘secret juice.’

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Another fan had the lucrative idea of Costa fighting Chimaev with his gloves off.

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All things considered, the #5 ranked Costa is a valuable addition to the roster. One of the more entertaining and fan-favorite fighters, Costa can now focus on fighting as his contract disputes have been resolved.

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Who do you want to see Costa fight next? And what do you think about his callout? Let us know in the comments.

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Yeswanth Praveen

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As Senior Editor of EssentiallySports’ UFC division, Yeswanth Praveen brings firsthand experience to our combat vertical. A competitive boxer since his college days, he still trains four times a week, keeping his connection to the sport sharp. An English major with a strong command of language, Yeswanth combines technical insight with compelling storytelling, decoding complex fight sequences while capturing the heart of a fighter’s journey. Since joining EssentiallySports in 2021, he has played a pivotal role in shaping our combat coverage strategies. His work has earned recognition from UFC veterans like Bruce Buffer and former heavyweight Brendan Schaub. His UFC takes on Twitter keep him actively engaged with fight fans. Whether breaking down a high-stakes title fight or profiling a rising prospect, Yeswanth delivers authenticity and depth.

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Rohini Kottu