The anticipation surrounding UFC 326 was substantial, headlined by the BMF title rematch between Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira. However, the meticulously planned event has encountered a significant structural setback following the abrupt withdrawal of highly recognized middleweight contender, Paulo Costa.
Costa was scheduled for a crucial middleweight clash against fellow Brazilian Brunno Ferreira. The booking, announced only a week prior, was intended to bolster the promotion’s third numbered event under its new deal with Paramount. Yet, the commitment proved short-lived. Last Friday, news confirmed what many weary fans had begun to dread: ‘The Eraser’ was out.
The Perpetual Motion of Cancellation
While fight card adjustments are an unfortunate inevitability in mixed martial arts, Costa’s withdrawal is symptomatic of a larger, persistent issue. In the last two years alone, Costa has pulled out of three scheduled bouts, most notably his highly anticipated matchup against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294. This pattern has created a deep schism between the fighter`s public profile and his professional reliability.
The technical evaluation of this trend reveals a critical misalignment of expectations. When a fighter achieves top-tier ranking, the implicit contract with the promotion and the paying audience requires consistent availability. Costa’s performance record is now less defined by his unanimous decision win over Roman Kopylov in his sole Octagon appearance in 2025, and more by the fights that failed to materialize.
The fan reaction was immediate and uncompromising, reflecting accumulated frustration rather than single disappointment:
- “It’s so hard being a fan of this dude.”
- “Never once delivered a fight we wanted. Cut him.”
- “Such a fraud, man. Cut this clown.”
This sentiment underscores a commercial reality for the UFC: star power derived from popularity quickly dissolves when that popularity is not backed by professional consistency.
The Paradox of the Ranked Inactive
Perhaps the most peculiar aspect of this saga is Costa’s persistence within the divisional rankings. Despite not holding a win over a currently ranked middleweight, the Brazilian somehow retains a slot in the Top 15 at 185 lbs. This statistical anomaly highlights the influence of name recognition over recent competitive success, turning his ranking status into a point of organizational irony.
It suggests a system prioritizing marketability over meritocracy, allowing a fighter who frequently cancels bookings to occupy a privileged position, frustrating active competitors like Brunno Ferreira who are now left without an opponent just weeks before a major pay-per-view event.
Professional Scrutiny: Till’s Unsparing Critique
The criticism was not limited to the digital commentary of the general public. Former UFC star Darren Till, who has previously engaged in verbal sparring with Costa, offered a scathing professional assessment via social media.
“This guy is just a big jumped up joke of a juice head,” Till stated, abandoning diplomatic language entirely. “Has no respect for the sport. Just quit Costa and keep doing your secret juice gig, because that’s the only thing that works for you. You’re a bum. You’re a w—. Quit please, quit my brother. You are so f—ing s—. I think you may be the worst fighter to ever fight in the UFC. And your title challenge was worse than mine and that’s saying something.”
While the language is highly inflammatory, the core technical indictment remains: Till argues that Costa’s frequent non-participation demonstrates a fundamental lack of respect for the competitive structure of the sport. His suggestion that Costa retire to focus on his “Secret Juice gig” (a reference to Costa’s persona) serves as a sharp, albeit crude, dismissal of his legitimacy as a serious contender.
The Immediate Future for UFC 326
UFC matchmakers are now faced with the immediate logistical challenge of salvaging the middleweight slot on the UFC 326 card. For Brunno Ferreira, the cancellation represents a lost opportunity to face a high-profile name and ascend the rankings. For the promotion, it means finding a reliable, ranked replacement on short notice—a feat often described in technical terms as ‘mission critical’ for card integrity.
For Paulo Costa, the path forward requires more than just recovery from whatever ailment caused this latest pull-out. It demands a serious, demonstrable commitment to fulfilling scheduled obligations. Without it, the title of ‘The Eraser’ may soon refer not to his fighting persona, but to his impending erasure from the relevant competitive landscape.