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Paulo Costa believes a big win over Sean Strickland at UFC 302 could score him a title fight

It won’t be easy, but Paulo Costa believes a big win over Sean Strickland could put him at the…

It won’t be easy, but Paulo Costa believes a big win over Sean Strickland could put him at the front of the line in the middleweight division.

Stepping inside the Octagon for the third time in two years, ‘The Eraser’ will co-headline UFC 302 inside Newark, New Jersey’s Prudential Center when he goes toe-to-toe with former 185-pound titleholder Sean Strickland.

‘Tarzan’ goes into his bout as a greater-than-2-to-1 favorite, but if Costa can pull off the upset, he’ll catapult himself from the back end of the divisional rankings to the top. Even then, securing a shot at middleweight gold will be no easy task, particularly with the upcoming clash between ex-champion Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev on June 22.

Still, Costa remains optimistic that if he can put it on Strickland in The Garden State, he’ll make a strong case to face the winner of the yet-to-be-announced title tilt between reigning champion Dricus Du Plessis and former two-time titleholder Israel Adesanya.

“I think [because Strickland] already beat [Israel] Adesanya, if Adesanya beats Dricus [du Plessis], if Sean beats me, he’s going to be next,” Costa said ahead of his fight with Strickland. “But let’s see, we never know. I have a beef with Adesanya as well and against Chimaev, everything can happen. Let’s see Saturday.

“I think who delivers better on Saturday is going to step in front, it depends how the fight’s going to be. If I knock him out [with] great style Saturday, and the fight in [Saudi Arabia between Chimaev and Whittaker] is not so good, we can be in front of them. It depends how I’m going to perform.”

Paulo Costa suggests Robert Whittaker will have an advantage over Khamzat Chimaev

As for how Costa sees things playing out between Whittaker and Chimaev when the two titans descend upon the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, ‘The Eraser’ suggested that ‘The Reaper’ will likely carry an advantage, having significantly more experience going five rounds than the undefeated Chechen monster.

“It’s a hard fight to predict,” Costa said of Whittaker vs. Chimaev. “From what I watched when [former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru] Usman fought Chimaev, I think with proper camp, I don’t know how many rounds, even three or five, Whittaker has some advantage against Chimaev.”

Whittaker, of course, is coming off a big unanimous decision victory over Paulo Costa at UFC 298 in February. That alone will make it pretty hard for Costa to leapfrog the Aussie in the title picture, but as they say in MMA, anything can happen.

Video – Khamzat Chimaev looking sharp in training montage ahead of Robert Whittaker fight on June 22

Undefeated Chechen monster Khamzat Chimaev is looking sharp ahead of his return to the Octagon. On Saturday, June 22,…

Undefeated Chechen monster Khamzat Chimaev is looking sharp ahead of his return to the Octagon.

On Saturday, June 22, the UFC will head to Kingdom Arena in Riyadh for its promotional debut in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Headlining the historic evening will be Chimaev as he looks to secure himself a middleweight title opportunity. To do so, he’ll have to go through Aussie fan favorite and former UFC champion Robert Whittaker.

With less than a month until fight night, ‘Borz’ offered fans a glimpse at his training via Instagram.

“Healthy body, healthy mind!” Chimaev wrote in the translated post.

The stakes are high for Khamzat Chimaev and Robert Whittaker

After a massive failure on the scale in September 2022, Chimaev made the move to middleweight where he earned a victory over short-notice replacement opponent Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 late last year. His fight with ‘The Reaper’ will be his first legitimate fight as a 185-pounder since a scrap with Gerald Meerschaert nearly four years ago.

As for Whittaker, the ex-titleholder will be seeking his second-straight victory inside the Octagon after earning a well-fought unanimous decision W over Paulo Costa in February.

Though the fight has not been labeled as an official title eliminator, the victor will likely move on to challenge the winner of the yet-to-be-announced title tilt between Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya.

Khamzat Chimaev backed to land second round KO win over Robert Whittaker at UFC Saudi Arabia: ‘He’s got power’

While many doubters have questioned the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev’s ability to hang with former champion, Robert Whittaker at UFC…

While many doubters have questioned the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev’s ability to hang with former champion, Robert Whittaker at UFC Saudi Arabia next month, his close friend, Darren Till has picked the Chechen to fell the soon-to-be common-foe with a second round knockout.

Chimaev, the current number ten ranked middleweight contender, improved to 13-0 as a professional back in October of last year with a controversial majority decision win over former welterweight champion and pound-for-pound number one, Kamaru Usman.

Michael Bisping issues warning to Khamzat Chimaev over UFC Saudi Arabia main event he always gasses — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

As for Whittaker, the former undisputed middleweight titleholder returned to winning ways at UFC 298 back in February, turning in an impressive judging win of his own against former championship challenger, Paulo Costa.

Robert Whittaker confirms plans to fight at UFC 299 in March after call out from Paulo Costa — Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

Himself slated to return in July at a massive boxing event in Arlington, Texas, former UFC star, Till is set to make his first venture to the squared circle in a showdown with former WBC world champion, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Khamzat Chimaev picked to KO Robert Whittaker next month

And backing close friend and training partner, Chimaev to beat Whittaker – Liverpool striker claimed the former would do so rather definitively, in the form of a knockout win at UFC Saudi Arabia in Riyadh.

“I think he’s (Khamzat Chimaev) gonna beat him (Robert Whittaker) in the second round,” Darren Till told The Mac Life. “Khamzat’s got power on the feet. He can really punch and kick. It’s gonna be a good fight.”

As for Whittaker, the fan-favorite stalwart issued a stern warning to the unbeaten, Chimaev, claiming if he does not manage to keep his cardio in check next month, he would hand him an early night in his first headlining bout since his making his move to the UFC.

Who wins next month at UFC Saudi Arabia: Khamzat Chimaev or Robert Whittaker?

Dricus Du Plessis eyes Champ-Champ status with wins over Israel Adesanya and Khamzat Chimaev

Dricus Du Plessis has his sights set on champ-champ status. But before ‘Stillknocks’ can focus on picking up a…

Dricus Du Plessis has his sights set on champ-champ status. But before ‘Stillknocks’ can focus on picking up a second undisputed belt, he’s got some work to do in the middleweight division.

In January, DDP scored a split-decision victory over Sean Strickland to claim the 185-pound crown, setting the stage for a long-awaited showdown with former two-time titleholder Israel Adesanya. When and where that takes place is yet to be determined, but Du Plessis is nonetheless excited for the opportunity to test his skills against one of the greatest fighters the sport has ever seen, solidifying his own legacy in the process.

“Beating a guy like Robert Whittaker, becoming a world champion, and then beating one of the greats like Israel Adesanya? How are you not motivated by that? I’ve seen Adesanya as my even when I wasn’t in the UFC,” Du Plessis said on The Sias du Plessis Show.

“I’ve seen him as the guy that I need to beat to become the best. He set the bar. I mean, long before I was in the UFC, he was the champion, and he set the bar of what you need to be to be a champion” (h/t MMA Mania).

Dricus Du Plessis plotting path to light heavyweight title

Should DDP get the job done against Israel Adesanya, he’ll turn his attention toward the winner of the UFC Saudi Arabia headliner between Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev.

Having already earned a win over ‘The Reaper’ at UFC 290, Du Plessis understandably sees more value in a potential fight with ‘Borz.’

Not only would it help his bid to become the greatest middleweight of all time — it would bring him one step closer to adding another title to his collection.

“If Khamzat beats Whittaker, beating Khamzat? That earns you a spot at light heavyweight,” he said. “If you look at the the greats, the boogeyman, everybody seems to be scared of Khamzat. I would love that fight.”

“But like I said, I have no problem defending my belt a few times before that. For now, my focus is 100% on the middleweight division and my next fight, which in all likelihood would be Israel Adesanya. And that’s where all my focus is. None of the other plans can come together without this.”

Robert Whittaker promises ‘Early night’ for Khamzat Chimaev at UFC Saudi Arabia if he fails to ‘Pace’ himself

Slated to headline the promotion’s first-ever event in Riyadh, incoming UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia feature, Robert Whittaker has…

Slated to headline the promotion’s first-ever event in Riyadh, incoming UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia feature, Robert Whittaker has urged unbeaten force, Khamzat Chimaev to “pace” himself for his first five round clash since landing in the organization, or he will face an “early night”.

Whittaker, the current number three ranked middleweight contender, has been sidelined since he featured at UFC 298 back in February in a main card clash against former title chaser, Paulo Costa, landing a decision win over the Brazilian.

Robert Whittakers warns Khamzat Chimaev pre-Saudi Arabia fight I've an arsenal of skills he's not ready for

As for Chimaev, the Chechen-born contender has been sidelined since October of last year, where he moved to 13-0 with a controversial majority decision win over former welterweight champion and prior pound-for-pound pacesetter, Kamaru Usman.

Robert Whittaker vows to send Khamzat Chimaev for an early night

And drawing Whittaker next month at UFC Saudi Arabia, Chimaev sent a warning of a finish to the former champion ahead of their title-eliminator, however, has received his own promise of an early night if he blows his wad too early.

“Yeah, it’s a five round fight, so I’m sure his (Khamzat Chimaev) pacing gotta be a little different, otherwise it’s gonna be an early night for him,” Robert Whittaker told Fox Sports.

“It’s something to be aware of,” Robert Whittaker said of Khamzat Chimaev’s striking. “He’s got power, he’s got a very clean one-two down the pipe. I have taken it, like – I’m aware of it – definitely not, I’m not underestimating it, but I can handle it. And I do think I have the striking superiority.

Hoping to earn a rematch with newly-minted champion, Dricus du Plessis with a victory against Chimaev in the Middle East, Whittaker faced the South African back in July of last year during International Fight Week, dropping an upset second round TKO loss.

Who wins next month in Riyadh: Robert Whittaker or Khamzat Chimaev?

3 Most Anticipated MMA Fights of 2024

With this coming summer season set to bring some of the most high-profile fights of the year for the…

With this coming summer season set to bring some of the most high-profile fights of the year for the UFC, let’s take a look at the most anticipated bouts currently booked on paper ahead of a massive schedule for the sport leader.

Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier – UFC 302

Just mere weeks away, a huge undisputed lightweight title fight lands in Newark, New Jersey in June – with pound-for-pound number one, Islam Makhachev looking to rack up a third successful defense of his divisional title.

Islam Makhachev calls for division move after UFC 302 I've already beat everyone at lightweight — Mandatory Credit: Giuseppe Cacace

And matching with a fresh face following a pair of consecutive fights against former featherweight best, Alexander Volkanovski, dominant champion, Makhachev takes on the returning former interim champion, Dustin Poirier – who looks to strike it third time lucky in pursuit of an undisputed crown.

Earning his return to a title setting at UFC 302, Lafayette veteran, Poirier rallied against the surging, Benoit Saint Denis back in March – halting the Nimes native’s run through the division, with a highlight-reel KO win. Entering at number one on our list of the top three most anticipated bouts of the year – fans can bet on MMA fights – including Makhachev’s title defense against Poirier, up and until they enter the Octagon next month.

Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev – UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia

Marking the promotion’s first foray to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – former undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker looks to keep his slot atop the division’s elite, and likely earn himself another shot at his former crown, as he takes on unbeaten berserker, Khamzat Chimaev.

Whittaker, a fan-favorite former undisputed titleholder at 185lbs – returned to winning ways back in February at UFC 298 against former championship chaser, Paulo Costa, battling over the course of three rounds to land himself a split judging victory.

As for Chimaev, the Chechnya-born starlet has admittedly lost a head of steam built up since his October decision win over former champion and pound-for-pound pacesetter, Kamaru Usman in Abu Dhabi. However, he can go a long way to generating massive backing for a title fight once more with a victory over a name like Whittaker.

Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler – UFC 303

Arguably the most anticipated of these three fights we’ve chosen ahead of a huge summer period – especially for the mass audience and onlookers comes in the form of a return fight for ex-two-weight champion, Conor McGregor against rival, Michael Chandler at the end of next month at UFC 303 during International Fight Week.

Without a win since 2020 and sidelined for the last three years since a gruesome leg fracture, former undisputed lightweight and featherweight gold holder, McGregor makes his return to the welterweight limit of 170lbs in tandem with his entrance back to the Octagon.

For Chandler, the ex-Bellator MMA thrice-time lightweight gold holder will snap an almost two-year hiatus himself from active competition in his much-sought-after fight with the Dublin megastar, and with the added caveat of a first welterweight walk since a professional debut back in 2009, both have been flapping gums aplenty – with first round knockout predictions fielded by both.