Paulo Costa exudes absolute certainty leading up to his highly anticipated match with Khamzat Chimaev in Abu Dhabi.
Known for his humorous antics, the Brazilian fighter was initially scheduled to compete this past weekend at UFC 291 against upcoming middleweight contender Ikram Aliskerov. Yet, circumstances took a swift turn a few weeks before the event, leading to Costa’s rescheduling for UFC 294 on October 21, where he will share the octagon with Chimaev in the UAE.
Both fighters, Costa and Chimaev, have been out of action for nearly the same duration, having last competed in August and September 2022, respectively. During the week of UFC 279, where Chimaev defeated Kevin Holland with a d’arce choke in the first round, the tension between Costa and Chimaev nearly led to an early fight. Since then, the animosity has only grown, setting the stage for a fiery face-off.
“I’m being honest about my grudge with Chimaev,” Costa revealed to MMA Junkie. “It was personal with [Israel] Adesanya, but I despise Chimaev. My training is targeted at making him feel pain. I intend not only to defeat him but to do it with flair. I am focusing all my abilities and attention on performing better than ever, in terms of physique, mindset, and technique. I’m aware it’ll feel like his home turf in Abu Dhabi, but it doesn’t bother me. I’m coming to take control.”
At 32, Costa will face Chimaev, whose professional record so far boasts an impeccable 12 wins. Chimaev, 29, has made a name for himself as a top contender in the 170-pound category through his past three fights, but a severe weight miss in his last fight has resulted in a career shift.
The middleweight division has seen a resurgence in 2023 with Dricus Du Plessis becoming a real threat to champion Adesanya. New faces like Sean Strickland and potentially Chimaev introduce fresh matchups. Costa believes that a victory at UFC 294 might set him up as the next title contender at 185 pounds.
“I can’t see him winning the fight, honestly,” Costa said. “This is going to be ferocious. It’s going to be explosive. It’s going to be wild. I’m bringing my A-game. I’ll be there.
“I believe the victor of this match will get the first shot at the title. I believe the winner between Khamzat and me will be next in line for the title shot.”
TOP HEADLINES
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Concerns. Marcus Buchecha on ‘Reug Reug’ fight at ONE Fight Night 13: ‘I’ll only believe it when he’s in front of me’
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
Free Fight.
Complete Fight.
PFL Road to Championship.
Pereira’s debut UFC light heavyweight victory.
Body Shot Challenge.
Cooking with Volk.
AUDIO ROUNDUP
No Bets Barred. MMA Hook’s Jed Meshew and Alex K. Lee discuss the chances of Nate Diaz upsetting Jake Paul, and best bets for UFC Nashville.
SOCIAL MEDIA ROUNDUP
No good.
Bias.
Diamond.
Funkmaster.
Bracket.
Submission Serrano.
Historic.
UFC Gym Huntington Beach.
Speculating…
That’s a wrap.
FIGHT SCHEDULES
Miles Johns (13-2) vs. Dan Argueta (9-1, 1 NC); UFC Vegas 79, Sept. 23
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Personally, I think Chimaev presents a formidable challenge for Costa. Costa’s best shot might be to play it risky and get right in Chimaev’s face from the start. However, this may just pave the way for an easier takedown. It promises to be an exciting clash, that’s for certain.
Thanks for reading!
EXIT POLL
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Paulo Costa vs Khamzat Chimaev UFC 294
Who is Paulo Costa expected to fight at UFC 294?
Paulo Costa is expected to face Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294.
When and where will the UFC 294 match take place?
The UFC 294 match between Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev is scheduled to occur on October 21, 2023, in Abu Dhabi.
What is the history between Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev?
Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev nearly came to blows at UFC 279, and since then, they have harbored an animosity for each other which will be settled in the octagon at UFC 294.
What are Paulo Costa’s expectations for his match against Khamzat Chimaev?
Paulo Costa fully believes that he will win his match against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294. He feels that this victory will also put him next in line for the middleweight title shot.
Has Khamzat Chimaev previously competed in the middleweight division?
Yes, Khamzat Chimaev has fought in the middleweight division before, although he has also bounced between the division and welterweight throughout his 12-fight career.
More about Paulo Costa vs Khamzat Chimaev UFC 294
- Paulo Costa’s Profile on UFC
- Khamzat Chimaev’s Profile on UFC
- UFC 294 Event Details
- Middleweight Division Overview on UFC
