UFC fighter Paulo Costa has dismissed the idea of a rematch with Khamzat Chimaev, focusing instead on his upcoming fight with former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker and a potential title shot.
Paulo Costa’s got his eyes on the prize. A rematch with Khamzat Chimaev? Nah, not on his radar.
He’s gearing up for a face-off with ex-middleweight champ Robert Whittaker. It’s the UFC 298 co-main event, and Costa’s all in. Chimaev? He was supposed to fight him last October, but a nasty elbow infection sidelined Costa.
Chimaev ended up fighting Kamaru Usman instead. It was a close call, but Chimaev won. Usman, who was making his middleweight debut, had only 10 days to prepare.
Sure, Costa and Chimaev have a history. They nearly came to blows at the UFC Performance Institute. But Costa’s got his sights set higher. He’s aiming for the gold. He’s not interested in fighting someone who’s still trying to score a win over a ranked opponent at 185 pounds.
Costa’s not a fan of Chimaev. He made that clear on Wednesday. But he doesn’t think many people take Chimaev seriously anymore. He’s stopped fighting. He hasn’t beaten any top contenders or even anyone in the top 15 in the middleweight division. How can anyone take him seriously?
Chimaev barely beat Usman, who’s a welterweight. He didn’t cut weight to middleweight. Everyone saw that fight. Costa was there. But once he beats Whittaker, he doesn’t want to hear Chimaev’s name. His thoughts? “F*** him.”
Chimaev hasn’t fought since his win over Usman. There were rumors he might fight at UFC 300 in April. But he withdrew his name because Ramadan ends just days before the event. Practicing Muslims have to fast during daylight hours for a month.
Chimaev might return in June. That’s when UFC is heading to Saudi Arabia for the first time. Costa hopes Chimaev finally fights a top-15 ranked opponent at middleweight. But Costa swears it won’t be him.
Chimaev needs to prove himself, according to Costa. He needs to beat someone in the top 10 in the middleweight division. He hasn’t done that yet, and Costa doesn’t think he can.
Costa would’ve loved to fight Chimaev in Abu Dhabi. It didn’t happen. He was frustrated. But now he’s fighting Whittaker, who’s more qualified than Chimaev. Whittaker’s got better credentials. Costa doesn’t think Chimaev will get a shot at the belt before he does.
Costa’s expecting a tough fight with Whittaker. Whittaker’s coming off a loss to current middleweight champ Dricus du Plessis. Was it a one-off, or is Whittaker’s career on the decline?
Whittaker’s a former champ. Costa hopes his best days aren’t behind him. He wants to beat a Whittaker who’s still in his prime.
Costa’s confident. He thinks a win on Saturday will put him back on top. He doesn’t see anything standing in his way of another title shot. He predicts he’ll be next in line for the belt after he takes out Whittaker at UFC 298.
“After my fight against Whittaker, for sure [I will fight for the title],” Costa said. “I don’t see any other way after beating Whittaker Saturday. I have no other way to go.”
Costa believes he’s the fighter fans want to see. He’s popular, and he fights the way people like. He thinks beating Whittaker will put him next in line for the title.