Costa Sought Hearn’s Help Through Helwani

Paulo Costa has explored outside representation while approaching a decision point in his UFC contract. Eddie Hearn says the Brazilian first asked Ariel Helwani for Hearn’s number, then called and requested help. According to Hearn’s account, Costa referred to the work connected with Tom Aspinall and Ian Machado Garry when explaining why he wanted Hearn to represent him. The conversation does not establish that a management agreement has been signed. It does show that Costa’s public frustration over negotiations has moved beyond comments and into direct contact with a prospective representative.

Costa is described in the supplied report as a former UFC middleweight title challenger who is nearing the final fight on his current agreement after defeating Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 327. During an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, he suggested that the promotion was delaying negotiations in order to encourage him to accept a longer deal that would give the UFC greater leverage. That is Costa’s stated interpretation of the talks, not an independently confirmed motive. Hearn’s later account supplies the next verified step: Costa used Helwani as the connection, obtained the phone number and made the call himself.

What Hearn says Costa requested

Hearn presented the approach as a direct request for assistance and representation. He said Costa told him he had seen what Hearn was doing with Aspinall and Garry, as well as what Hearn had been saying publicly, and wanted similar help. The precise status of any arrangement was not provided in the material. That distinction matters. Contact between the two men is supported by Hearn’s account, while a completed Matchroom agreement, new UFC contract or change of promoter is not. For now, the development is a representation inquiry made while Costa weighs his position.

Costa has recently discussed both contractual terms and what he wants next in competition. He said that, if he re-signed with the UFC, he wanted an interim light heavyweight title opportunity. He also indicated that he could prepare for his next in-cage assignment in eight weeks. The report presents those as Costa’s public positions while he approaches the final fight of his current agreement. Neither comment confirms an opponent, date, title fight or completed representation deal.

What is confirmed and what remains open

The confirmed chain is short but meaningful: Costa spoke publicly about his frustration, asked Helwani for Hearn’s contact details and, according to Hearn, called to seek representation. Everything after that remains unsettled in the supplied report. There is no announced representation contract, no completed long-term UFC agreement and no confirmed next opponent. Costa’s eight-week preparation estimate expresses availability rather than a booking. His interest in an interim light heavyweight opportunity is a condition he discussed, not a title fight the promotion has granted.

• Hearn says Costa asked Ariel Helwani for his phone number.
• Costa then called Hearn and requested help and representation.
• No signed representation agreement or next UFC bout was confirmed in the supplied material.

Costa’s call to Hearn is an active search for assistance, not proof that his next deal has already been decided. It follows his public criticism of the negotiation process and comes as the final fight of his current agreement approaches. Separately, Costa has described the kind of competitive opportunity he would like if he remains with the UFC and has offered an eight-week preparation estimate. Until Costa, Hearn or the UFC confirms a formal arrangement, the verified news is the contact itself; the representation agreement, contract outcome and next bout remain open.

Sources: BJPenn