MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 11: Paulo Costa of Brazil reacts after a knockout victory against Azamat Murzakanov of Russia in a light heavyweight fight during the UFC 327 event at Kaseya Center on April 11, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC) Joe Rogan was so impressed with Paulo Costa’s last trip to the Octagon that’s he’s already lobbying for the Brazilian veteran to be UFC’s next light heavyweight champion.This comes after Costa’s incredible knockout performance against previously undefeated light heavyweight contender, Azamat Murzakanov, at UFC 327 earlier this month. It was a matchup that Costa entered as a betting underdog, but one he eventually won via third-round head kick knockout.
It was Costa’s first appearance at 205 pounds since 2021 and the biggest win of his career other than a Fight of the Night win over Yoel Romero in 2019 that earned him a UFC middleweight title shot.Even President Donald Trump was gushing over Costa cageside following his UFC 327 outing.Rogan, who was there to call Costa’s victory firsthand, had more praise to offer during a recent episode of his Joe Rogan Experience podcast. According to the long-time UFC color commentator, Costa has what it takes to claim gold at 205 pounds. And following the recent injury to current UFC light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg he believes Costa’s next fight should be for the interim strap.See below:🗣Joe Rogan to Paulo Costa: "Dude, never go back to midddleweight"“If I were in his corner, I would say, ‘Dude, never go back to middleweight – you’re a light heavyweight champion.’ While Carlos Ulberg is out for the year, Paulo Costa could become the interim light heavyweight… pic.twitter.com/RdHX4IhWKQ— FREAK.MMA (@FREAKMMA1) April 23, 2026“He looked f—king phenomenal,” said Rogan.
“If I were in his corner, I would say ‘Dude, never go back to middleweight. You are a f—king light heavyweight champion!”“While Carlos Ulberg is going to be out for at least a year, for ACL reconstruction, Paulo Costa could be the interim light heavyweight champion,” Rogan added. “No doubt!
I really feel like he could pull that off. At light heavyweight, he’s f—king terrifying. He looks like the Paulo Costa of old!”