Paulo Costa believes a fight against Khamzat Chimaev will help him regain his aggressive fighting style and redeem himself after recent underwhelming performances.
Paulo Costa thinks Khamzat Chimaev will help him get his groove back.
Earlier this month, Costa lost a split decision to Sean Strickland in the co-main event of UFC 302. It was an underwhelming performance from Costa, who showed none of his trademark aggression and pressure. Speaking Monday on The MMA Hour, Costa said that’s been an issue for him lately, one he believes has cost him dearly.
“I feel like these two fights, against [Robert] Whittaker and against Sean Strickland, were very winnable fights, and I didn’t win,” Costa said. “My thoughts are, they’re very tough guys, the best on the planet, top one and top two I think. I could win those fights, but I didn’t do enough to win."
“[Whittaker] is an amazing fighter and I did a very good first round, almost knocked him out," he continued. "But in the second and the third, I didn’t pressure. I didn’t put down the accelerator pedal to run above him and pressure him and try to knock him out. I was more boxing and doing footwork and kicks, but not really pressuring him. That’s what I should have done against Whittaker."
Next up was Sean Strickland. Not a good fight for either of us. Neither me nor him.
“I don’t think that was a fight that people liked to watch," Costa admitted. "I’m very upset about that fight, about my performance, and about his performance as well because I’m not this kind of fighter. I’m not a point fighter." He added that he couldn’t perform well against Strickland due to his weird style.
“He’s a very difficult guy to hit in the face as well because his guard is very effective," Costa explained. "He’s weird; he’s different but very effective. He knows how to do that very well.”
Costa started his career with 13 straight victories, including five in the UFC, earning his way to a 2020 title shot against Israel Adesanya. Adesanya then used Costa’s aggression against him, finishing “Borrachinha” in the second round.
Since then? A tough run: 1-3 in his past four fights.
“But while the losses hurt,” Costa said it’s the change in his performances that is more upsetting. He promises to fix that for his next fight.
“So I’m upset about the loss,” Costa said. “But I’m very upset about my performance.” He talked to UFC officials Hunter Campbell and Dana White and promised them he’d bring back the old Paulo.
“That guy who moves forward—very aggressive, very dangerous all the time—throwing punches and kicks,” he vowed. “This is my promise to myself and to them.”
Costa reflected on criticism about his style even when he was winning fights: “When I was 13-0, people talked bad about me.” He thinks he heard too much from critics.
“They are right at some point,” he conceded. But moving forward aggressively is a good thing! Not everybody can do what he does.
“I’m not comparing myself with Mike Tyson,” Costa clarified. But Tyson moved forward in his prime without question marks over why he didn’t fight like Muhammad Ali.
“So I promised Dana, Hunter, my team, myself—I will move forward,” Costa reiterated. “I will bring back the old Paulo that doesn’t care for points.”
And Costa believes there’s a perfect opponent to bring out the best in him: Khamzat Chimaev.
Costa and Chimaev have a long-standing feud and were even scheduled to face each other at UFC 294 until an elbow infection forced Costa out of the bout.
The two were rumored to be fighting this summer until Costa got matched up with Strickland while Chimaev was booked against Whittaker.
However… just last week? Chimaev was forced out of his scheduled fight with Whittaker at UFC Saudi Arabia due to illness.
Now that both men are available? Costa thinks that’s the fight to make once Chimaev is feeling better.
“This is what I want,” Costa said simply. “But not only me.” He wants to bring the fight people want to see.
Of course, they ask who he wants next—he wants a title shot—but more important? Being entertaining!
“So I thought this fight against Sean would be fun,” he mused. “But it wasn’t.” Boring even!
Next up? The fight that makes sense for entertainment: Chimaev.
“He’s perfect,” Costa declared confidently.
Chimaev’s style will bring back old Paulo—the aggression, ferocity—everything fans love about him.
“I can’t wait!” exclaimed Costa eagerly. Redemption is needed after such disappointment against Sean Strickland—not just losing but performing poorly!
“But I’m upset about myself,” he confessed deeply. And Chimaev? The perfect guy for redemption! A little bit crazy—a fun match-up!
This will be a very fun fight indeed!