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Paulo Costa, Khamzat Chimaev fight at UFC 294 in jeopardy, Dana White seeking potential replacements

Paulo Costa vs Khamzat Chimaev in jeopardy due to elbow surgery at UFC 294 Dana White looking at replacements Following the stunning reshuffle of next weekend’s UFC 294 title fight headliner between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira, the slated co-headliner between Khamzat Chimaev and Paulo Costa is now in firm jeopardy of being cancelled as well, with Dana White confirming a search is underway for replacement opponents after Paulo Costa revealed he underwent surgery […]

Following the stunning reshuffle of next weekend’s UFC 294 title fight headliner between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira, the slated co-headliner between Khamzat Chimaev and Paulo Costa is now in firm jeopardy of being cancelled as well, with Dana White confirming a search is underway for replacement opponents after Paulo Costa revealed he underwent surgery just three weeks ago.

Overnight, UFC CEO, White confirmed that former lightweight champion, Oliveira was forced to withdraw from next weekend’s UFC 294 championship rematch with Makhachev, after suffering a nasty laceration over his right eyebrow during the final sparring session of his camp, after an inadvertent clash of heads.

As a result, undisputed featherweight champion and pound-for-pound number one, Alexander Volkanovski will replace Oliveira on short-notice next weekend in Abu Dhabi, UAE – taking on Makhachev in a rematch of their February main event in Australia, with lightweight spoils on the line to boot.

First sharing the Octagon in Perth at the beginning of this year, Volkanovski suffered his first promotional loss in a unanimous decision defeat to Makhachev, and had campaigned tirelessly for a championship rematch with the Russian at UFC 300 next year.

And according to promotional leader, White, the slated co-main event between Chimaev and Costa has been cast into further jeopardy after the latter revealed he underwent a surgical procedure to address bursitis infection in his elbow – just three weeks ago.

Paulo Costa vs. Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in serious jeopardy

While the Brazilian has yet to be officially confirmed as out of his set fight with Chimaev, White confirmed how promotional brass had explored “a couple” potential replacement if needs be, to replace the former middleweight title challenger.

“Hopefully, within a couple of hours, I’ll have an answer for you,” Dana White told assembled media after the Contender Series last night.

Who would you like to see Khamzat Chimaev fight next week if Paulo Costa is out?

Paulo Costa, Khamzat Chimaev fight at UFC 294 in jeopardy, Dana White seeking potential replacements

Paulo Costa vs. Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in serious jeopardy

“Hopefully, within a couple of hours, I’ll have an answer for you,” Dana White told assembled media after the Contender Series last night.

Who would you like to see Khamzat Chimaev fight next week if Paulo Costa is out?

Paulo Costa’s coach, Eric Albarracin, accuses Khamzat Chimaev camp of sabotaging his fighter with crank calls

Paulo Costa’s coach, Eric Albarracin, has accused the Khamzat Chimaev camp of resorting to some old school tactics in an effort to sabotage their fight camp. In just over a week’s time, Costa and Chimaev will return to the Octagon for the first time in more than a year when the two men square off […]

Paulo Costa’s coach, Eric Albarracin, has accused the Khamzat Chimaev camp of resorting to some old school tactics in an effort to sabotage their fight camp.

In just over a week’s time, Costa and Chimaev will return to the Octagon for the first time in more than a year when the two men square off in a potential middleweight title eliminator as part of UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi.

Ahead of their highly anticipated clash, Costa, alongside his coach, appeared on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani and suggested that Chimaev and his crew were going out of there way to make things a bit more difficult for ‘The Eraser’ as they march toward fight night.

“We were in the (hotel) lobby together. We were outside in the parking lot, they were in the lobby. I mean, tensions were high because the last time they saw each other at the UFC PI, you guys saw what almost went down,” Albarracin said. “You know, with the biggest fight in UAE history going down in two weeks, what is the reason why three weeks ago we’re staying at a hotel with no security?”

Albarracin Believes Paulo Costa Will Earn a Title Shot at UFC 294

Adding insult to injury, Paulo Costa is still recovering from surgery after contracting a nasty infection in his elbow. Despite the ominous nature of the injury, Costa remains insistent that he will be ready to go come October 21.

“After that happened, people started calling us in the middle of the night, waking us up. So, there’s just been some sabotaging going on on his end, trying to keep us with the jet lag,” Albarracin continued. “But it’s not gonna work because this time we came out super early to right what was wrong, what happened last time we came out here to Abu Dhabi. ‘Secret Juice Costa’ now, he’s cold, he’s calculated. He’s recalibrated, he’s reformulated. He’s smarter than ever. This time in Abu Dhabi, we’re getting that title shot” (h/t MMA Mania).

Long before Costa and Chimaev were scheduled to scrap inside the Octagon, the pair had a run-in at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas in the days leading up to UFC 279. More than a year later, they’ll finally settle their differences inside the Octagon in the UAE.

Paulo Costa confirms he is ‘Definitely’ fighting Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 despite elbow surgery: ‘I can beat him’

Despite underdoing a surgical procedure just three weeks ago, former middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa has claimed he is still “definitely” sharing the Octagon with the undefeated, Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 next weekend – despite definite concerns from the organization. Costa, a former undisputed middleweight title challenger under the banner of the promotion, has […]

Costa, a former undisputed middleweight title challenger under the banner of the promotion, has been sidelined from the Octagon since he featured against former middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold back in August of last year, landing a close unanimous decision victory over the ex-titleholder.

And booked to make his return to the Octagon later this month, Brazilian striker, Costa welcomes the undefeated force, Chimaev back to the middleweight limit for the first time since his Octagon bow, in a potential championship eliminator.

However, appearing to throw the clash into jeopardy yesterday, Costa showed off the results of a recent surgical procedure he underwent just three weeks ago on his elbow to address an injury.

“How strong are u?” Paulo Costa wrote. “U never really know until you get tested by fire of life. I did surgery 3 weeks ago, 10 seams size. But I know how tough I’m and continues improving and overcoming myself. It doesn’t stop me, still doing my things sparrings and everything. I’m so blessing. God’s gives me exceptional condition, and surrounded my by great peoples.”

Paulo Costa insists he will be fighting Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 next week

And despite concerns from fans regarding the status of Costa’s fight with Chechen-born contender, Chimaev, the Brazilian insists he is “definitely” fighting in Abu Dhabi next weekend.

“Yes, definitely, yes,” Paulo Costa told MMA Fighting. “Definitely yes. … [The UFC] are just worried about me because [of the surgery]. I took 10 days off to [get the procedure] in Brazil, and here [I took off] 14 more days before and after surgery. So, they’re a little bit worried about my health. But, I’m sparring, I’m doing everything.”

“I’d like to say thank you to the UFC as well for keeping me in this fight, because bro, I truly believe [if we fight] 100 times, I can beat him (Khamzat Chimaev0 like 99 percent [of the time],” Paulo Costa explained. “I have all the tools to beat this motherf*cker. He’s a wrestler. He has nothing for me. He has big head, long arms, slim body. He will do nothing against me. I will defend his takedown and I’m going to knock him out. So, I want this fight so bad, that’s why I’m still in this fight. I did a surgery, but it doesn’t [matter], I’m going to be there anyway.”

Do you think Paulo Costa makes good on his set fight with Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294?

Paulo Costa reveals he underwent elbow surgery 3 weeks ago ahead of UFC 294 fight with Khamzat Chimaev

Former middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa has revealed he underwent a fairly gruesome-looking surgical procedure on his elbow just three weeks ago – ahead of his potential championship eliminator against Khamzat Chimaev next week at UFC 294. Costa, the current number six ranked middleweight contender, is slated to make his return to the Octagon in […]

Costa, the current number six ranked middleweight contender, is slated to make his return to the Octagon in the co-main event of UFC 294 next weekend in Abu Dhabi, UAE – taking on the undefeated Chimaev in the pair’s respective returns to the Octagon for the first time in over a year.

Last time out for the Belo Horizonte native, Costa snapped a two-fight losing skid to former middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya and perennial contender, Marvin Vettori – with a unanimous decision win over former UFC and Strikeforce championship holder, Luke Rockhold last August.

As for Chimaev, the undefeated finisher has yet to feature inside the Octagon since he landed a dominant first round D’Arce choke submission win over Kevin Holland back in September of last year at UFC 279 in a co-headlining catchweight clash.

Paulo Costa reveals elbow surgery just 3 weeks out from UFC 294 return

Predicting a relatively easy stoppage win over Chimaev in their matchup in the Middle East next weekend, Costa has stunningly revealed he underwent a surgical procedure to address an elbow injury, just weeks out from his fight with the Chechen-born contender.

“How strong are u?” Paulo Costa posted on his official Instagram account. “U never really know until you get tested by fire of life. I did surgery 3 weeks ago, 10 seams size. But I know how tough I’m and continues improving and overcoming myself. It doesn’t stop me, still doing my things sparrings and everything. I’m so blessing. God’s gives me exceptional condition, and surrodned my by great peoples.”

Who wins at UFC 294: Paulo Costa or Khamzat Chimaev?

Paulo Costa threatens to report Khamzat Chimaev for harassing his girlfriend ahead of UFC 294 clash

Paulo Costa is ready to report Khamzat Chimaev to the fuzz weeks away from their highly anticipated clash at UFC 294. By the time both men step inside the Octagon in Abu Dhabi on October 21, it will have been more than a year since either one has competed. Despite that, Costa and Chimaev are […]

Paulo Costa is ready to report Khamzat Chimaev to the fuzz weeks away from their highly anticipated clash at UFC 294.

By the time both men step inside the Octagon in Abu Dhabi on October 21, it will have been more than a year since either one has competed. Despite that, Costa and Chimaev are both seemingly on the cusp of a middleweight world title opportunity. All each man really needs is one big win to make a fairly solid case for themselves.

With fight night looming, it’s been relatively between the two behemoths, but it appears that Khamzat Chimaev has kept himself busy by creeping into the DM’s of Costa’s girlfriend/manager, Tamara Alves. The Eraser’ shared a screenshot of Chimaev’s message which read, “Haw you can be together with this sh*t, he like black boys,” accompanied by a picture of Costa moments after being knocked out by Israel Adesanya at UFC 253.

Costa shared the image on social media whilst threatening to report Chimaev for harassment.

I gonna report this harassment by Gourmet Chen Chen towards my girlfriend/future mother of my childres and manager. I felt threatened by this handsome guy calling her on dm,” Costa wrote on X. “please @Tamaraalves2 Don’t be fooled by that beautiful face inshala.”

Paulo Costa’s Girlfriend Gets In on the Fun

Obviously, Paulo Costa is just having a little fun with the situation, but even his girlfriend chimed in on the post to throw some shade at the undefeated Chechen monster.

“This guys is so scared. So, his trying to affect you trough a women,” Alves replied. “But, I think he don’t know that I’m on this game for a long time and this type of thing just show his weakness. Don’t be scared Chen Chen.”

While the three engaged in a fairly humourous encounter on social media, it’s guaranteed to be anything, but that when the two heavy-hitters step inside the Octagon in the UAE capital with a potential middleweight title opportunity hanging in the balance.