Out! Paulo Borrachinha withdraws from fight with Brunno Hulk, and UFC 326 suffers a setback.

Paulo Borrachinha is a former middleweight title challenger. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter/@UFC

A few days after the official announcement, it seems that the confrontation between Paulo Borrachinha and Brunno Hulk will not take place. Initially published by journalist Leonardo Guimarães this Friday (26), the Curitiba native himself came to the public on social media to inform the Minas Gerais native of the middleweight category (up to 83,9 kg) fight, scheduled for UFC 326 on March 7, the same night in which Max Holloway and Charles do Bronx will have the rematch for the BMF lightweight belt (up to 70,3 kg).

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In a video posted to his official Instagram account , Hulk lamented what happened and was clearly unhappy with his opponent's apparent decision to withdraw from the fight. According to him, Borrachinha did not give any reason for not showing up at UFC 326.

“I recently received information that Paulo Borrachinha withdrew from the fight. Unfortunately, he didn't give a reason, he simply ran away. It caught the UFC by surprise, but that's Borrachinha being Borrachinha. Being a complete coward. It's a complete lack of respect for both the organization and the athlete. I'm available to fight anyone, but I wasn't surprised when this news reached me,” said the Curitiba native, visibly irritated.

I've been informed that Paulo Costa is out of the fight against Brunno Hulk . The reason has not yet been revealed.

I will update when I have more information.

— Léo Walker Guimaraes (@leoguimaraesmma) December 26, 2025

In the caption of the post, the Brazilian wasted no time and challenged another big name in the category: Roman Dolidze . One position above Borrachinha, the Georgian was completely dominated and submitted by Anthony Hernandez in August 2025.

"With all due respect, Roman Dolidze , I have nothing against you, but let's put on a show for the fans at UFC 326, because I know you're not a wimp like Borrachinha," he said.

Brunno Hulk in victory at UFC 323. Photo: Reproduction/X.

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