Paulo Costa Vs. Marvin Vettori Now A Light Heavyweight Fight

The planned middleweight battle Saturday at UFC Fight Night has changed. 

No, the fighters remain the same, but the bout will take place in the light heavyweight division.

Let me explain.

Marvin Vettori has no problems cutting weight and making 185 pounds. Or 186 as he is allowed.

Paulo Costa, well, that is a different story.

Costa, during a pre-fight press conference earlier this week, said he had no chance to make the weight limit. Days out from the fight and weigh-ins, and Costa was declaring this.

Initial plans had the two contenders fighting at 195 pounds, making it a catchweight bout. Well, that wasn’t going to work for Costa either.

All the while, Vettori has agreed to just about everything. 

The two took to social media Thursday to cause some more drama and really get fight fans excited for their bout on Saturday. 

Both Vettori and Costa are coming off losses to reigning UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. 

Vettori suffered a decision setback at UFC 263 in June, while Costa was finished in the second round last year at UFC 253.

It will be interesting to see what UFC officials do if Vettori wins. Do you position him back in a contender match with Adesanya? Does he need a finish of Costa to get that? 

Saturday’s entire card airs live on ESPN+. Along with Vettori vs. Costa, Grant Dawson meets Rick Glenn, Jessica-Rose Clark squares off with Joselyn Edwards and Alex Caceres battles Seung Woo Choi.