Report - Paulo Costa Withdraws, Jared Cannonier Now Meets Kelvin Gastelum At UFC Event On August 21st.

Mandatory Credit: Josh Hedges - Zuffa LLC & MMA Junkie

#4 ranked UFC middleweight challenger, Jared Cannonier has seen a switch-up in opponent ahead of his UFC Fight Night headliner on August 21st. -- now drawing the #9 rated, Kelvin Gastelum on short notice after originally booked opponent, Paulo Costa withdrew from their headlining bout.

Per a report from ESPN MMA reporter, Brett Okamoto, Costa has withdrawn from the August 21st. main event, with Gastelum replacing the Brazilian for the second bout running -- following a short notice fill-in against former division champion, Robert Whittaker at UFC Vegas 24 in April.

Reacting to the news of the reworked main event between Cannonier and Gastelum, Costa claimed that the promotion needs to pay him sufficiently to feature in a main event clash, citing the influx of YouTubers into combat sports.

"UFC needs to pay me as main fighter to have fighting in main events," Costa posted on Twitter. "YouTubers are showing all disgrace on this business."

The Belo Horizonte striker then went on to claim that he had never actually signed an official contract to clash with Texas puncher, Cannonier.

"Just to be clear, I never signed or locked up that contract," Costa posted. "Why UFC announced this fight if didn't signed? My question too."

 

Just to be clear. I never signed or locked up that contract. Why ufc announced this fight if didn’t signed? My question too

— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) June 5, 2021

Set to make his return for the first time since UFC 254 in October of last year on 'Fight Island', Cannonier suffered his first defeat since his drop to the middleweight limit -- dropping a unanimous decision defeat to the above mentioned former gold holder, Whittaker, where he suffered a fractured ulna. 

For former interim middleweight title challenger, Gastelum he's booked for his third Octagon appearance of the year, following his decision loss to Whittaker and a unanimous decision victory over Ian Heinisch at UFC 258 in February.