Tag: Wallid Ismail

Paulo Costa set to be represented by girlfriend, departs from manager Wallid Ismail

Paulo CostaAhead of his upcoming UFC 278 co-headlining return later this month, Paulo Costa has cordially parted ways with manager, Wallid Ismail – following in the footsteps of his compatriot, Deiveson Figueriedo. And his partner, Tamara Alves, will now represent the Belo Horizonte native.  Costa, the current #6 ranked middleweight contender, is slated to co-headline UFC […]

Paulo Costa

Ahead of his upcoming UFC 278 co-headlining return later this month, Paulo Costa has cordially parted ways with manager, Wallid Ismail – following in the footsteps of his compatriot, Deiveson Figueriedo. And his partner, Tamara Alves, will now represent the Belo Horizonte native. 

Costa, the current #6 ranked middleweight contender, is slated to co-headline UFC 278 in Salt Lake City, Utah later this month opposite former division champion, the returning, Luke Rockhold. The pay-per-view event will be headlined by a welterweight title rematch between Kamaru Usman, and Leon Edwards.

Last featuring in the main event of UFC Vegas 41 in October of last year, Paulo Costa suffered a unanimous decision loss to Marvin Vettori – in an impromptu light heavyweight clash.

The defeat came as just the second of Costa’s professional career, after the Brazilian unsuccessfully pried the middleweight title from Israel Adesanya in September 2020, suffering a second round knockout loss on ‘Fight Island’.

Paulo Costa’s most recent UFC win came in August 2019

Ahead of his return on August 20. against Rockhold, Costa confirmed he had amicably parted ways with Ismail for representation, with the aforenoted, Alves now handling Costa with immediate effect.

“I have nothing bad to say about Wallid (Ismail),” Paulo Costa said on his official YouTube channel. “He is an honest person and very professional. I just have compliments about him. We just have different views about my career and, because of that, we decided to not work together anymore.” (Transcribed by Sherdog)

11-2 as a professional, Costa began his Octagon tenure with a blistering run of five consecutive victories, besting Garreth McLellan, Oluwale Bamgbose, former welterweight champion, Johny Hendricks, the recently retired, Uriah Hall. And in his most recent professional win, defeated multiple-time middleweight title challenger and now-Bellator contender, Yoel Romero back in August 2019. The outing earned both Costa and Romero a Fight of the Night bonus.

Costa Joins Figueiredo In Parting Ways With Wallid Ismail

Wallid Ismail’s management agency has taken another blow, this time with the departure of UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa. Ismail, the founder and promoter of Brazil’s Jungle Fight promotion, has long been a prominent figure in the U…

Wallid Ismail’s management agency has taken another blow, this time with the departure of UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa. Ismail, the founder and promoter of Brazil’s Jungle Fight promotion, has long been a prominent figure in the UFC, managing the likes of Costa, UFC Flyweight Champion Deiveson Figueiredo, and strawweight Amanda Lemos. But last month,…

Continue Reading Costa Joins Figueiredo In Parting Ways With Wallid Ismail at MMA News.

Ex-Manager Wallid Ismail Blasts Deiveson Figueiredo: ‘He’s Become A Shameless Bastard’

Deiveson FigueiredoWallid Ismail, the former manager of UFC flyweight champion, Deiveson Figueiredo – has described the Brazilian as a “vagabond” since their recent split, as well as describing the flyweight kingpin as a “shameless bastard”. Deiveson Figueiredo, the current undisputed flyweight champion, will lose his undisputed status come July 30. – with an interim division title […]

Deiveson Figueiredo

Wallid Ismail, the former manager of UFC flyweight champion, Deiveson Figueiredo – has described the Brazilian as a “vagabond” since their recent split, as well as describing the flyweight kingpin as a “shameless bastard”.

Deiveson Figueiredo, the current undisputed flyweight champion, will lose his undisputed status come July 30. – with an interim division title introduced by the promotion for UFC 277, with former opponent, Brandon Moreno, and Kai Kara-France slated to co-headline a Dallas, Texas showcase. 

In recent weeks, reports have detailed how Deiveson Figueiredo had parted ways with long-time manager and representative, Ismail, and has now linked up with former WEC featherweight champion and UFC bantamweight alum, Urijah Faber. 

Wallid Ismail has detailed his split with Deiveson Figueiredo

Ismail, the president of Brazilian organization, Jungle Fight – has denied claims that he failed to notify the UFC of Figueiredo’s hand injury, and shared his side of the story following a row about the introduction of an interim flyweight crown.

“From the beginning, I didn’t want to speak out so as not to expose Deiveson (Figueiredo),’ Wallid Ismail posted on his social media. “I had informed Deiveson that the UFC would (create) the interim belt if he couldn’t fight until July. The UFC was aware that he was injured. I have conversations with matchmakers informing [them] about the injury. He made a statement in the press saying that he would only like to fight Kai Kara-France in October, although I asked him to fight Brandon Moreno again, as this would be the best fight for his career.”

“He wants to look for someone to blame for his wrong decisions,” Ismail said. “ I’m just speaking out because, although he apologized to me for lying that he didn’t know about the interim belt, now he’s back to lying, that I hadn’t warned the UFC about his injury. That’s a lack of character.” 

“This vagabond has become a shameless bastard,” Ismail added. “First he lied saying that I hadn’t warned him about the interim belt (the bastard told me he didn’t care). The bastard apologized to me for lying, now he’s telling another lie. You’re very naughty, Deiveson. I told the UFC that he was injured and could only fight in October. This bastard asked me to say that.” (Transcribed by Bloody Elbow)

In his most recent Octagon appearance, Deiveson Figueiredo co-headlined UFC 270 back in January, successfully beginning his second reign as flyweight champion with a close, split decision win over three-time opponent, Brandon Moreno.

Paulo Costa vs. Marvin Vettori A Possibility For Future UFC Event?

Paulo Costa and Marvin Vettori could be on a collision course. Costa and Vettori are coming off losses to the current UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya. Costa is currently the number two-ranked UFC 185-pounder, while Vettori holds the number fo…

Paulo Costa and Marvin Vettori could be on a collision course. Costa and Vettori are coming off losses to the current UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya. Costa is currently the number two-ranked UFC 185-pounder, while Vettori holds the number four spot. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto has revealed that Costa’s manager, Wallid Ismail, wants his fighter to […]

Continue Reading Paulo Costa vs. Marvin Vettori A Possibility For Future UFC Event? at MMA News.

Manager Claims Israel Adesanya Turned Down Two UFC Fights With Paulo Costa

Paulo Costa’s manager, Wallid Ismail is claiming that Israel Adesanya has turned down two bouts. Adesanya vs. Costa seems to be inevitable. Costa was supposed to receive a UFC middleweight title opportunity back in March but was still recovering …

Paulo Costa’s manager, Wallid Ismail is claiming that Israel Adesanya has turned down two bouts. Adesanya vs. Costa seems to be inevitable. Costa was supposed to receive a UFC middleweight title opportunity back in March but was still recovering from surgery despite insisting he was ready. Adesanya ended up defeating Yoel Romero via unanimous decision […]

The post Manager Claims Israel Adesanya Turned Down Two UFC Fights With Paulo Costa appeared first on MMA News.

Paulo Costa’s Manager: Coach Lied, Israel Adesanya Turned Down UFC 251 Fight

Costa AdesanyaIsrael Adesanya was offered a fight with Paulo Costa as early as UFC 251 this weekend — only for him to turn it down according to manager Wallid Ismail. Adesanya has been expected to defend his middleweight title against Costa for months but there is yet to be any movement on that front. There was […]

Costa Adesanya

Israel Adesanya was offered a fight with Paulo Costa as early as UFC 251 this weekend — only for him to turn it down according to manager Wallid Ismail.

Adesanya has been expected to defend his middleweight title against Costa for months but there is yet to be any movement on that front.

There was recent talk of them coaching on the return of The Ultimate Fighter leading up a title fight before it was denied by Adesanya’s coach Eugene Bareman, who claimed nothing regarding Adesanya and Costa fighting at all was presented his way.

Ismail: Costa Fight Was Offered For UFC 251

But according to Costa’s manager Ismail, that is a lie.

“His coach lied,” Ismail told MMA Fighting. “He has to understand that when he says something in Australia we can see it right away in Brazil through the internet. He can’t lie. There was an offer for July 11, and then they said August, and now they are talking September or October.”

Costa would confirm the same in a recent Instagram post.

As for The Ultimate Fighter, Costa’s team was campaigning to coach on “TUF” and according to Ismail, Dana White loved the idea as well.

While there is no update on that front, Ismail believes having Costa and Adesanya on the returning edition before facing each other for the title will only lead to ratings.

“It would be huge,” Ismail said. “Everybody loves watching two guys that hate each other. When was the last time you saw two undefeated guys fighting for the belt? It’s going to be incredible.”

When it comes down to a potential fight between Adesanya and Costa, there are also complications as the latter trains in Brazil and won’t be able to compete in the United States at least when the UFC returns there in August amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

For now, Ismail can only hope “The Last Stylebender” accepts a fight sooner rather than later.

“Don’t run away from this fight please,” Ismail added. “His coach is trying to act like a manager now and that’s how careers end. We’re hoping to have a date some time this year, and I just hope they stop crying. Adesanya is crying. He can’t say anything online until he actually signs the deal. If you’re offered a fight and don’t take it, you can’t say anything.”

Do you think we’ll see the fight this year?