The UFC 326 event was highly anticipated but suffered a major setback. During the recent UFC season press conference, Dana White revealed that Max Holloway would defend his BMF title in a rematch against Charles Oliveira as the headline fight for UFC 326. Soon after, additional matchups were unveiled for the event, scheduled for March 7th, including a middleweight bout between popular former contender Paulo Costa and fellow Brazilian Bruno Ferreira.
However, just one week after the fight was announced, reports emerged that Costa, nicknamed “The Eraser,” had pulled out of the matchup.
Fans expressed frustration over Costa’s withdrawal, especially since he had just returned from a unanimous decision victory over Roman Kopylov after suffering two consecutive losses. Costa’s reputation has taken a hit in recent years due to multiple fight withdrawals, which has diminished his standing among UFC followers. Some fans openly criticized him, calling for his removal from the UFC roster, especially since he has yet to secure a win against a ranked middleweight opponent despite being ranked in the top 15 of the division.
Former UFC fighter Darren Till also chimed in on Costa’s latest pullout with harsh words, calling him disrespectful to the sport and suggesting he quit fighting altogether. Till pointed out that Costa might be among the worst fighters in UFC history, further fueling negative sentiment around the fighter.
Fan Take: This news is significant for fight fans because it affects the overall excitement and credibility of UFC 326, a much-anticipated card. Costa’s repeated pullouts and declining reputation highlight ongoing concerns about fighter reliability and the impact such withdrawals have on fan trust and the sport’s competitive integrity.
