The anticipation surrounding UFC 326 was significant. Anchored by the BMF title rematch between Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira, the card promised substantial competitive value. However, the meticulous planning of the promotion suffered a major, if predictable, setback with the abrupt withdrawal of middleweight contender Paulo Costa from his scheduled bout against Brunno Ferreira.
Announced officially just a week prior to the news of its collapse, the clash between Costa, known widely as ‘The Eraser’ or ‘Borrachinha,’ and Ferreira was intended to solidify the middleweight roster further. Instead, the withdrawal has served as a catalyst for a fierce wave of fan discontent and sharp professional criticism, raising pointed questions about the fighter’s reliability and future within the organization.
The Recurring Pattern of Unreliability
For high-level mixed martial arts, commitment to scheduled dates is an operational necessity. Unfortunately for the UFC, Costa has established a pattern of non-participation. This is not an isolated incident; it is a recurring event that has demonstrably eroded his standing among both fans and peers.
In the last two years alone, Costa has withdrawn from three pivotal matchups. The most publicized of these cancellations was his eagerly awaited confrontation with Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, which necessitated an emergency short-notice replacement. While Costa did manage a successful return in 2025, securing a unanimous decision victory over Roman Kopylov, that single successful appearance fails to counteract the cumulative damage inflicted by persistent non-fulfillment of contractual obligations.
It is a remarkable technical anomaly that Costa maintains a top-15 ranking in the fiercely competitive 185-pound division, despite his infrequent activity and the absence of a victory over any currently ranked middleweight opponent. His visibility and marketability remain high, but the logistical headaches associated with booking him are now reaching a critical mass.
Fan Sentiment Shifts to Corporate Mandate
The immediate reaction from the global fanbase following the UFC 326 withdrawal was less characterized by disappointment and more by overt frustration, evolving into a widespread demand for disciplinary action. The sentiment signals a definitive shift from passive support to active rejection of the fighter`s conduct.
Comments across digital platforms swiftly escalated from generalized complaints to explicit calls for contract termination. One representative comment captured the collective exasperation: “It’s so hard being a fan of this dude, f—.” This sentiment quickly hardened into managerial advice for the promotion: “Never once delivered a fight we wanted. Cut him.”
The term “fraud” has frequently been applied, reflecting the perception that Costa’s promotional profile far outweighs his commitment to competition. The most cutting and widely echoed demand was the succinct and unambiguous directive: “Cut this clown.” This visceral reaction underscores the financial and emotional investment fans place in major events, investments Costa’s withdrawals repeatedly undermine.
Darren Till Delivers a Scathing Professional Critique
Adding significant weight to the public condemnation was the targeted attack launched by former UFC star Darren Till, who has a history of online friction with Costa. Till’s critique transcended typical online trash talk, operating as a professional character assassination that questioned Costa`s fundamental commitment to the sport`s ethics.
In a direct social media post, Till launched a volley of severe accusations, commencing with the assessment:
“This guy is just a big jumped up joke of a juice head. Has no respect for the sport.”
Till then mockingly advised Costa to abandon professional fighting entirely and focus solely on his highly marketed “secret juice gig,” suggesting it was his only functional career path. The former title challenger did not merely criticize Costa’s reliability; he directly attacked his competitive competence and historical performance, delivering a historically comparative insult:
“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.”
This statement, coming from a fighter who himself faced setbacks following a high-profile title run, represents a particularly low threshold of competitive assessment. Till`s comments articulate the frustration felt by many in the professional fighting community: that repeated cancellations demonstrate a profound lack of respect for opponents, event integrity, and the sport itself.
Conclusion: The Cost of Unpredictability
Paulo Costa remains a significant financial asset for the UFC due to his brand recognition and controversial persona. However, the operational cost associated with his scheduling unpredictability is becoming unsustainable. Matchmakers are tasked with delivering reliable, high-value content, and recurrent withdrawals from main or co-main event slots severely destabilize major pay-per-view cards like UFC 326.
The overwhelming fan response and the harsh public judgment from former colleagues like Till present a compelling case for the UFC to re-evaluate the parameters of Costa’s future involvement. While marketability often trumps mere competitive metrics, continuous failure to appear compromises the credibility of the entire middleweight division. For the integrity of their product, the promotion may soon have to decide whether the marketing appeal of ‘The Eraser’ outweighs the immense transactional friction he generates.
Gareth Fenton 
Percy Harlow