Paulo Costa eyes fight with ex-Champion Kamaru Usman after UFC 298 return: ‘I might finish him’

Paulo Costa eyes fight with Kamaru Usman in UFC next I might finish himOff the back of his decision defeat to former undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker last weekend in the co-main…

Paulo Costa eyes fight with Kamaru Usman in UFC next I might finish him

Off the back of his decision defeat to former undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker last weekend in the co-main event of UFC 298, former divisional title chaser, Paulo Costa has claimed a fight with former welterweight gold holder, Kamaru Usman is something that definitely interests him next.

Costa, the current number seventh ranked middleweight contender, had been sidelined for almost two years prior to last weekend’s co-headlining clash with former champion, Whittaker.

And despite almost closing the show late in the first round with a hellacious wheel kick attempt before the initial frame buzzer, Belo Horizonte native, Costa returned to the losing column in a decision loss to Whittaker.

As for Usman, the former pound-for-pound number one most recently co-headlined UFC 294 himself back in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE – losing a close, majority decision defeat to the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev on short-notice.

Paulo Costa weighs up Kamaru Usman clash

And weighing up a potential middleweight stay following an impromptu divisional debut, Usman has been called out by Costa following his UFC 298 return – claiming that he may be able to do what Chimaev failed to, and finish the Auchi veteran if they share the Octagon together.

“(Kamaru) Usman [at] 185lbs looks interesting,” Paulo Costa posted on his official X account today. “Gourmet Chen Chen couldn’t finish him even [on] short notice. I might.”

Slumping to his third consecutive loss with his defeat to Chechnya native, Chimaev, Usman had dropped a pair of championship rematch and subsequent rubber-match losses to three time foe, Leon Edwards in the pair’s recent title showdowns. 

Himself challenging for gold back in 2020 at the middleweight limit, Costa’s unbeaten run came to a close in the form of a one-sided second round knockout loss to former two-time weight class champion, Israel Adesanya

Who wins in a future fight: Kamaru Usman or Paulo Costa?

Photos – UFC star Kamaru Usman shows off massive physique, targets comeback fight: ‘Patiently waiting’

Kamaru Usman shows off huge physique ahead of UFC return calls for fight patiently waitingFormer undisputed welterweight champion and pound-for-pound number one, Kamaru Usman appears to be chomping at the bit for his…

Kamaru Usman shows off huge physique ahead of UFC return calls for fight patiently waiting

Former undisputed welterweight champion and pound-for-pound number one, Kamaru Usman appears to be chomping at the bit for his return to the Octagon – with fans noting a massive physique from the Auchi native as he plots a comeback to the UFC since his last outing in October. 

Usman, the current number one ranked welterweight contender, most recently made a middleweight divisional bow at UFC 294 back in October, taking on unbeaten Chechen contender, Khamzat Chimaev in a short-notice clash.

And suffering his third straight loss since a pair of title fight defeats to incumbent welterweight gold holder, Leon Edwards, Usman found himself on the receiving end of a contentious and controversial majority decision loss to the AllStars MMA staple. 

Weighing up the possibility of a continued tenure at the middleweight limit in the aftermath of his landing at 185 pounds – Usman claimed that his mind was not fully made up on a stint at the weight class or not.

“The plans – I don’t know, it’s kind of foggy,” Kamaru Usman said. “I didn’t mind being up at 185 [pounds]. Yeah, of course, the size was a bit different in the beginning, but I’m a championship-level fighter, so from here on out, we want to make these five rounds [fights] and not three-rounders. I don’t know, 185 [pounds] looked good on me, so we might. We’ll get back to y’all on that.”

Kamaru Usman shows off massive physique

However, this week, fans are speculating how the Nigerian veteran is plotting his return to the Octagon – posting multiple pictures showing off a massive physique, claiming he is “patiently waiting” for a comeback.

“Let it simmer before we boil!!” Kamaru Usman posted on his official X account. #Patientlywaiting”

Who do you want to see Kamaru Usman fight in his return to the UFC?

Kamaru Usman touted as UFC boss Dana White’s ‘Favorite’ fighter: ‘He’s the greatest welterweight of all time’

Kamaru Usman tipped as Dana White's favorite fighter he's the greatest UFC welterweight of all timeFormer undisputed welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman has been touted as UFC CEO, Dana White’s favorite fighter according to his…

Kamaru Usman tipped as Dana White's favorite fighter he's the greatest UFC welterweight of all time

Former undisputed welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman has been touted as UFC CEO, Dana White’s favorite fighter according to his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, who also touted the former pound-for-pound number one as the greatest welterweight fighter to ever compete. 

Usman, a former undisputed welterweight champion and former pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter under the banner of the UFC, has been sidelined since October of last year, suffering his third consecutive loss in a razor-thin majority decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The defeat came as Usman’s second consecutively of the year, having dropped a title trilogy rubber match to Leon Edwards in another majority decision loss in London back in March.

Kamaru Usman backed as Dana White’s favorite fighter

And reportedly coy on his fighting future according to his Dominance MMA manager, Abdelaziz, Usman has been labelled as the above-mentioned UFC leader, White’s favorite fighter.

“Dana White’s favorite fighter is Kamaru Usman,” Ali Abdelaziz told ESPN MMA. “100 percent. Khabib (Nurmagomedov) and Kamaru Usman. I never seen Dana give more respect to them than these guys. Because, they never choose opponents, they don’t care who they fight – and Kamaru especially.”

“And Kamaru is going to go down as the greatest welterweight of all time,” Abdelaziz explained. “He’s top-five [fighter of all-time] – one of the greatest ever, in my opinion. And his behavior: Young guys, watch Kamaru Usman’s career. Kamaru made plenty of money, not being just a great fighter, being on time when nobody [else] wanted [to fight].” 

Without a victory since November 2021, Usman’s most recent win came in the form of a unanimous decision win over recent UFC 296 headliner, Colby Covington in the pair’s undisputed welterweight title fight rematch – landing his fifth and final successful defense of the crown. 

Robbery Of The Year – LowKick MMA 2023 Awards

Robbery of the YearWhile there were plenty of options available for Robbery of the Year in 2023, the LowKick MMA staff largely…

Robbery of the Year

While there were plenty of options available for Robbery of the Year in 2023, the LowKick MMA staff largely landed on one especially egregious decision as its favorite. Or in this case, least favorite.

Earning five nominations and running away with the vote was the June 3 main event clash between former interim flyweight title challenger Kai Kara-France and streaking division standout Amir Albazi.

Robbery of the Year – Amir Albazi vs. Kai Kara-France – UFC Fight Night: Kara-France vs. Albazi – (5 votes)

Amir Albazi scored the biggest win of his career, but in the eyes of many, including UFC CEO Dana White, it left a lot of unanswered questions.

Throughout their five-round affair, neither fighter could assert themselves for long stretches. However, Kara-France noticeably upped his urgency as time went on, delivering a strong finish that convinced several of his peers that he had won the fight. Instead, Albazi was handed the victory via split decision, causing an uproar from fans and fighters alike.

Kara-Frances’ teammate, Israel Adesanya, immediately called for firing the two judges who favored Albazi along with offering some more colorful commentary in response to the blatant robbery.

Honorable Mentions:

Joselyn Edwards vs. Lucie Pudilova – UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Allen – (2 votes)

Kicking off the UFC’s return to Kansas City, Joselyn Edwards escaped with a much-maligned split decision after giving up seven and a half minutes of control time to Lucie Pudilova. Scoring on two of her seven takedown attempts, Pudilova lit up Edwards on the ground with a series of ground-and-pound strikes. However, Edwards held the advantage in significant strikes, landing 56 compared to Pudilova’s 39.

Media scores from 15 MMA news outlets favored Pudilova with them primarily pointing to her control time that spanned 50% of the contest. In the end, Edwards walked away with a split decision, giving us our first big robbery of 2023.

Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski – UFC 284 – (1 vote)

This is one nomination for Robbery of the Year that had fight fans understandably split. After dominating the featherweight division for years, Alexander Volkanovski stepped up to lightweight for an opportunity to challenge reigning 155-pound champion Islam Makhachev.

Earning Fight of the Year honors, Makhachev vs. Volkanovski delivered a brilliant back-and-forth battle that ultimately saw the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ leave with his title intact, though it didn’t come without a bit of controversy. Makhachev clearly controlled the ground game, scoring four of nine takedowns with more than seven and a half minutes of control time.

But it was Volkanovski who would go on to land 164 total strikes compared to Makhachev’s 95. That discrepancy was more than enough for fans to see it in favor of Volkanovski, but all three judges disagreed, favoring Makhachev via unanimous decision.

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kamaru usman – UFC 294 – (1 vote)

Former welterweight world champion Kamaru Usman stepped into UFC 294 on 11 days’ notice to square off with undefeated Chechen monster Khamzat Chimaev in the evening’s co-main event. Despite the short-notice nature of the contest and the fact that Usman was moving up a weight class, Chimaev had a surprisingly difficult time while tussling with ‘The Nigerian Nightmare.’

After 15 minutes, judge David Lethaby scored the bout a 28-28 draw while judges Derek Clearly and Vito Paolillo scored it in favor of Chimaev, resulting in a majority decision. Though not everyone agreed with the decision, Chimaev landed nearly twice as many total strikes as his opponent. On top of that, Chimaev scored on four of 12 attempted takedowns resulting in 7:16 in control time.

Which robbery would you have voted as the best (or worst) or 2023?

Full List Of The LowKick MMA 2023 Robbery Of The Year Votes:

  • Ross Markey: Amir Albazi
  • Ian Shutts: Amir Albazi
  • Murdo Todd: Joselyn Edwards
  • Craig Pekios: Islam Makhachev
  • Makoa Goble: Amir Albazi
  • Tony King: Amir Albazi
  • Red Pill MMA: Khamzat Chimaev
  • Michael Owens: Amir Albazi
  • Danny Podolsky: Joselyn Edwards

Kamaru Usman Believes Logan and Jake Paul would handle Tristan and Andrew Tate in hypothetical MMA fight

PaulKamaru Usman believes Logan and Jake Paul would have a decided advantage in a potential MMA showdown with Tristan…

Paul

Kamaru Usman believes Logan and Jake Paul would have a decided advantage in a potential MMA showdown with Tristan and Andrew Tate.

While the Paul brothers are best known for their work in the boxing ring, their background in wrestling would likely give them a leg up should the pair ever find themselves in a hypothetical clash with the Tate brothers who have primarily competed in kickboxing.

“If it’s an MMA fight, I think that favors Jake and Logan [Paul] for sure…I mean, they actually wrestled…That’s [kickboxing] actually a disadvantage when it comes to wrestlers,” Usman said during an appearance on the PBD Podcast. “If I catch a kick and you fall down, like, it’s different and it’s a different balance…The civilian human doesn’t realize that it’s an actual skill to be able to get off of your back” 

Logan and Jake Paul Continue to Thrive while the Tate Brothers Await Trial in Romania

While it’s fun to theorize about, any variation that would pit a Paul brother against a Tate brother is highly unlikely to happen. Particularly while Tristan and Andrew Tate are currently awaiting trial in Romania on charges of rape, human trafficking, and forming an organized crime group to sexually exploit women. They have vehemently denied all charges.

The Tate brothers were detained in December 2022 and remained in custody until March 2023 when they were placed under house arrest. In June, Andrew Tate and his brother were formally charged.

According to a report from the BBC, the indictment deposited with the Bucharest court says that the Tate brothers along with two other defendants formed an organized criminal group in 2021 to commit human trafficking in Romania, but also in other countries including the U.S. and the UK.

robert Whittaker targets UFC 300 return, Paulo Costa fight axed: ‘He’s just playing games again’

Robert Whittaker targets UFC 300 fight with Paulo Costa axed he's playing games againFormer undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker may have verbally agreed to fight former title challenger, Paulo Costa at UFC…

Robert Whittaker targets UFC 300 fight with Paulo Costa axed he's playing games again

Former undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker may have verbally agreed to fight former title challenger, Paulo Costa at UFC 299 in March, however, the ex-titleholder will now target a UFC 300 return instead, with his manager claiming the Brazilian is still “playing games” on a bout with his client.

Whittaker, the current number three ranked middleweight contender, most recently featured on the main card of UFC 290 back in July during International Fight Week, dropping a stunning second round TKO loss to incoming UFC 297 headliner and title challenger, Dricus du Plessis. 

Suffering his first loss at the middleweight limit to any contender other than former two-time foe and champion, Israel Adesanya, Whittaker has the subject of a call out from Brazilian ace, Costa, who claimed he was prepared to fight him in the opening quarter of next year.

And himself targeting a fight in March at UFC 299 – which is currently slated for a Miami, Florida landing pad, Whittaker tagged Costa in a post on his official social media – adding fuel to the fire of a once-planned pairing.

However, as far as the ex-champion’s manager, Titus Day is concerned, a UFC 300 return against former undisputed welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman is on the New Zealand-born fighter’s radar, who accused Costa of “playing games again” during a recent interview with Fox Sports Australia.

Robert Whittaker targets UFC 300 clash with Kamaru Usman

Himself talking up the possibility of fighting former pound-for-pound number one, Usman in the future, Whittaker urged the Auchi native to remain at the 185 pound limit amid a recent divisional bow against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 back in October. 

“Definitely, the (Kamaru) USman fight interests me because I just think we are both guys that are at the tip of the food chain and I want to give him a proper welcome to the middleweight division,” Robert Whittaker told Submission Radio. “I just like that fight… he’s one of the best welterweights to do it and I think fighting fights of that calibre makes me excited. It’s a face I haven’t fought before, it’s exciting, it’s different.”

Would you like to see Robert Whittaker fight Kamaru Usman next?