Magomed Ankalaev fight offer accepted by Paulo Costa and Jan Blachowicz before UFC pulled plug

Magomed Ankalaev was on the verge of a high-stakes light heavyweight showdown in Abu Dhabi on July 25 before the UFC changed course.

The UFC originally booked Magomed Ankalaev to face Khalil Rountree Jr. in the main event of its July 25 Abu Dhabi card. But Rountree Jr. pulled out with an injury just two weeks out, forcing the promotion to scramble for a replacement. Bogdan Guskov stepped in on July 13, taking Rountree Jr.’s slot and leaving Ankalaev without an opponent.

Paulo Costa confirmed on The Ariel Helwani Show that the UFC called him about facing Ankalaev on July 12. Costa said he weighed 234 pounds and would need seven to eight weeks to make light heavyweight, but the bigger issue was the 14-day notice. “Like less than 14 days to get a flight to Abu Dhabi,” he said. “16-hour flight to Abu Dhabi, five rounds for the same money and not for the interim belt. I don’t think this makes sense right now.”

Jan Blachowicz posted on X that the UFC offered him the same fight first. He admitted he hesitated over making weight without a catchweight clause, then confirmed the bout. By the time he agreed, Guskov had already taken the Abu Dhabi main event. “UFC offered me to fight Ankalaev first,” Blachowicz wrote. “I wasn’t sure if I’m gonna make the weight. After a couple of hours I confirmed the fight without any catchweight but it was a done deal with Guskov.”

Ankalaev remains the division’s top contender and was set to defend his ranking against Rountree Jr. before the injury. The UFC’s last-minute shuffle leaves his next move unclear, but his name is still attached to the Abu Dhabi card’s original target. Dana White previously criticized the first Ankalaev vs. Blachowicz fight, which ended in a draw for the vacant light heavyweight title. That result left the division in limbo, and a win in Abu Dhabi would have solidified Ankalaev’s path to a rematch or interim belt shot.

Costa suggested the UFC used the Ankalaev offer as leverage amid contract disputes. “I think it’s so short notice,” he said. He also pointed to Francis Ngannou’s exit as proof the promotion pushes stars away with tough negotiations. Costa’s public complaints may have triggered the offer, but the timing and pay left him unwilling to risk five rounds against one of the division’s best on two weeks’ notice.