UFC 326: Paulo Costa Withdraws, Brunno Ferreira Needs New Opponent

Costa's sudden withdrawal leaves Ferreira searching for a new fight at the upcoming UFC 326 event in Las Vegas.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 7:23am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the chaotic energy of a UFC fight, with the octagon and fighters' bodies broken down into abstract geometric shapes and planes of vibrant colors.The sudden withdrawal of Paulo Costa from his UFC 326 fight leaves Brunno Ferreira's future in flux, as the promotion scrambles to find a new opponent for the rising star.Las Vegas Today

In a surprising turn of events, former title contender Paulo Costa has withdrawn from his scheduled fight against Brunno Ferreira at UFC 326. The reasons behind Costa's decision to pull out remain unclear, but this leaves Ferreira, who has been on an impressive winning streak, in search of a new opponent for the March 7 event in Las Vegas.

Why it matters

This late change to the UFC 326 main card disrupts the plans for both fighters and leaves fans wondering about the reasons behind Costa's withdrawal. It also creates uncertainty around the new matchup Ferreira will face as he looks to continue his momentum in the middleweight division.

The details

Costa, who holds a professional record of 15 wins and 4 losses, was set to take on Ferreira, also known as 'Hulk,' who has won his last three fights in the UFC. The withdrawal comes just a week after the fight was officially announced by the promotion.

  • The fight between Costa and Ferreira was scheduled for UFC 326 on March 7, 2026 in Las Vegas.
  • Costa's withdrawal was confirmed to MMA Fighting by several sources on April 11, 2026.

The players

Paulo Costa

A former title contender in the UFC middleweight division, Costa holds a professional record of 15 wins and 4 losses.

Brunno Ferreira

Also known as 'Hulk,' Ferreira is a rising middleweight fighter in the UFC who currently holds a 6-2 promotional record and is riding a three-fight winning streak.

Leo Guimaraes

The reporter who initially reported the news of Costa's withdrawal from the UFC 326 fight.

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What they’re saying

“The reasons behind Costa's sudden decision to pull out remain unclear, especially considering that the fight was officially announced by the UFC just a week ago for their highly anticipated Las Vegas card.”

— Leo Guimaraes, Reporter

What’s next

The UFC will now need to find a new opponent for Brunno Ferreira to compete against at UFC 326 on March 7 in Las Vegas.

The takeaway

This late change to the UFC 326 main card highlights the unpredictable nature of the sport, as top fighters can withdraw from fights for various reasons, leaving promoters and fans alike scrambling to adjust. It will be interesting to see who the UFC books as Ferreira's new opponent and how that affects the dynamics of the event.