Paulo Costa's knockout victory at UFC 327 was impressive, but the post-fight buzz might have been even bigger. Following his win over Azamat Murzakanov, the Brazilian powerhouse shared a moment with former U.S. President Donald Trump, who later publicly praised Costa and predicted a future UFC championship for him.

With that high-profile endorsement and the momentum of a decisive win, the focus now shifts to Costa's next move in the turbulent light heavyweight division. The landscape is uncertain, as newly crowned champion Carlos Ulberg faces a potential long-term injury layoff.

This has sparked immediate speculation about an interim title. One fan on social media laid out a compelling case, noting that with champion Ulberg injured and former champ Alex Pereira moving up, the logical contenders have recent losses. The fan's proposed solution? An interim title fight between Paulo Costa and the winner of the upcoming Jan Blachowicz vs. Gusgov bout.

Costa himself seemed to agree, replying, "You have a strong point here," signaling his clear ambition for a title shot.

Not everyone is looking that far ahead just yet, though. Fellow fighters have begun fantasy-booking Costa's next brawl. Dustin Poirier suggested a fan-friendly clash with the powerful Khalil Rountree Jr., calling it "a banger." Jorge Masvidal strongly supported that explosive matchup idea, which would undoubtedly deliver fireworks in the octagon.

Whether his next step is towards gold or another thrilling showdown, one thing is clear: with a big win and even bigger backing, Paulo Costa is firmly in the title conversation and a major player to watch at 205 pounds.