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Khamzat Chimaev has sights set on UFC middleweight champ Israel Adesanya: ‘I’ve got my eye [on him]’

Khamzat Chimaev plans on turning his attention toward UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya once he takes care of some business with Paulo Costa at UFC 294. Borz’ will make his long-awaited return to the Octagon as the UFC heads back to Abu Dhabi on October 21. Khamzat Chimaev is expected to step into the co-main […]

Khamzat Chimaev plans on turning his attention toward UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya once he takes care of some business with Paulo Costa at UFC 294.

Borz’ will make his long-awaited return to the Octagon as the UFC heads back to Abu Dhabi on October 21. Khamzat Chimaev is expected to step into the co-main event spotlight for a high-profile middleweight clash with one-time title challenger Paulo Costa in the UAE capital. During an appearance at UFC London on Saturday, Chimaev spoke with TNT Sports’ Caroline Pearce and offered a prediction for his clash with Costa.

“I’ll make that guy cry in the cage like I always do,” Chimaev said of his upcoming fight. “Smash. Smash somebody, make money. Make that guy cry, go home and be in Brazil. Nobody likes him, all Brazilians write to me and support me. That guy’s not Brazilian, so I’m going to go and smash this guy and make him cry.”

By the time he steps back into the Octagon in October, it will have been well over a year since his last appearance at UFC 279 where he ragdolled Kevin Holland on his way to a first-round finish. Asked why the lengthy layoff, Khamzat Chimaev said:

“I don’t know, I make everyone scared. I don’t know, I fight with everybody,” he insisted. “Ask Dana White. I never said no. I’m ready always, I’ve been out a long time out. I’ve been training all the time. When big money comes, it’s hard to make a fight for me.”

Khamzat Chimaev Was Willing to Take a Fight at Light Heavyweight

‘Borz’ revealed that he had even asked for a fight at light heavyweight with the division suffering a slew of injuries near the top of the rankings.

“I fight in all divisions. For me, it doesn’t matter,” he said. “I asked Dana White when somebody dropped out, I asked to fight with Glover for the title [at light heavyweight]. I asked if somebody gets injured if I can fight for the title this way. It will come, all my titles will come soon. I’m ready for all divisions, it doesn’t matter for me. I can go down, I just need the time. Not like last time giving me four weeks.”

For now, Khamzat Chimaev will keep his sights on the middleweight division, where one big win over Paulo Costa this fall could put him in line for a title opportunity. Asked if the reigning middleweight champ, Israel Adesanya, was already on his radar, ‘Borz’ answered in the affirmative.

“Of course, if he’s the champ, of course, I’ve got my eye [on him],” he said. “I’ve got all champs on my eye. I want my belts, at least three belts.”

Khamzat Chimaev plots future light heavyweight move ahead of UFC 294 return: ‘All my titles will come soon’

Slated to make his middleweight division return at UFC 294 in October, undefeated contender, Khamzat Chimaev has claimed he will make an eventual leap to the light heavyweight limit of 205lbs, revealing he also attempted to fight Glover Teixeira for vacant spoils at the start of the year. Chimaev, the current number four ranked welterweight […]

Chimaev, the current number four ranked welterweight contender, has been sidelined from the Octagon since he co-headlined UFC 279 back in September of last year, defeating Kevin Holland with a first round D’Arce choke submission win.

Booked to finally make his long-awaited comeback at UFC 295 in October, Chimaev will make a return to the middleweight division for the first time since 2020, taking on one-time division title challenger, Paulo Costa in the United Arab Emirates.

Missing weight for his scheduled UFC 279 card against promotional alum, Nate Diaz last September, Chimaev came in seven-and-a-half pounds over the non-title welterweight limit for his clash with the Stockton native, forcing its cancellation.

Khamzat Chimaev reveals plans for light heavyweight move

Booked to fight Costa at the middleweight limit as a result, Chimaev has claimed the had previously offered to fight the above-mentioned, Teixeira for gold at the light heavyweight limit, eyeing a future move to the weight class to boot.

“I fight in all divisions,” Khamzat Chimaev told TNT Sports reporter, Caroline Pearce. “For me, it doesn’t matter. I asked Dana White when somebody dropped out, I asked to fight with Glover (Teixeira) for the title [at light heavyweight].”

“I asked if somebody gets injured if I can fight for the title this way,” Khamzat Chimaev explained. “It will come, all my titles will come soon. I’m ready for all divisions, it doesn’t matter for me. I can go down, I just need the time. Not like last time giving me four weeks. Yeah, that’s my plan. If somebody wants to fight, it doesn’t matter.”

Khamzat Chimaev vows to land dominant win over Paulo Costa at UFC 294: ‘I’ll make that guy cry in the cage’

Finally booked for his long-awaited return to active competition, undefeated welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev has promised to turn in a one-sided win over middleweight, Paulo Costa in their upcoming UFC 294 showdown in October. Chimaev, who boasts an undefeated 12-0 professional record, will make his middleweight division return in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE, taking […]

Chimaev, who boasts an undefeated 12-0 professional record, will make his middleweight division return in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE, taking on one-time title challenger, Costa in a highly-anticipated clash in the Middle East.

Sidelined from active competition since he co-headlined UFC 279 back in September of last year, Chechen-born contender, Khamzat Chimaev turned in a one-sided first round win over Kevin Holland, submitting the Californian with a D’Arce choke inside the opening minutes of their catchweight clash.

Yet to return to the Octagon in the time since, Chimaev has now, however, booked a middleweight clash with Brazilian contender, Costa for UFC 294 – taking co-headlining status before a lightweight championship rematch between Islam Makhachev, and former titleholder, Charles Oliveira.

Khamzat Chimaev promises dominant return at UFC 294 in October

And appearing in attendance at UFC London last night, AllStars MMA staple, Chimaev vowed to turn in a wholly one-sided win over Costa in their October battle in the United Arab Emirates.

“It’s good,” Khamzat Chimaev said of his fight with Paulo Costa during an interview with TNT Sports reporter, Caroline Pearce. “I’ll make that guy cry in the cage, like I always do. Smash. Smash somebody, make money. Make that guy cry, go home and be in Brazil. Nobody likes him, all Brazilians write to me and support me. That guy’s not Brazilian, so I’m going to go and smash this guy and make him cry.”

For Costa, the one-time middleweight title chaser has himself yet to feature this year, sidelined since he fought on the main card of UFC 278 back in August of last year, scoring a unanimous decision win over former Strikeforce and UFC middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold, in the latter’s subsequent retirement fight.

Khamzat Chimaev shares 3 simple steps for a fulfilling life at UFC London: ‘Smash somebody, make money, be happy’

Undefeated contender Khamzat Chimaev has a straightforward plan heading into his return to the Octagon this fall. By the time ‘Borz’ straps on the four-ounce gloves once again, it will have been more than a year removed from his first-round shellacking of Kevin Holland at UFC 279. But we suspect the long wait will be […]

Undefeated contender Khamzat Chimaev has a straightforward plan heading into his return to the Octagon this fall.

By the time ‘Borz’ straps on the four-ounce gloves once again, it will have been more than a year removed from his first-round shellacking of Kevin Holland at UFC 279. But we suspect the long wait will be worth it as Khamzat Chimaev is set to square off with one-time UFC title challenger Paulo Costa. The pair are set to meet in a middleweight clash at UFC 294, as announced by Dana White early this week.

Speaking backstage at UFC London on Saturday, Chimaev shared his plan come October 21 and some advice for a long and happy life in general.

“Smash somebody. Make money. Be happy,” Chimaev said. “Guys, be ready. Don’t blink. I’ll smash this guy easy.”

"Smash somebody. Make money. Be happy."

Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) set some clear expectations for his upcoming fight with Paulo Costa at #UFC294.

[@VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi ]

— UFC News (@UFCNews) July 22, 2023

UFC 294 will emanate from Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi where Khamzat Chimaev now calls home. Asked what it means to compete in the UAE capital, Chimaev said:

“In Abu Dhabi, it’s a different energy. They love me so much there, it’s like I’m home. My home town. Smash somebody there.”

Khamzat Chimaev and Paulo Costa will Vie for a Potential Title Opportunity

Khamzat Chimaev will step into the contest boasting an undefeated record of 12-0 with six of those victories coming under the UFC banner. ‘Borz’ stormed into the promotion in 2020 and scored three wins in an eight-week span. Chimaev saw his career go on a brief hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, but he came back with a vengeance, landing finishes against Li Jingliang and Kevin Holland. However, his biggest win thus far came in a three-round war with perennial contender Gilbert Burns at UFC 273.

After spending the majority of his run in the welterweight division, ‘Borz’ will move to middleweight in hopes of earning a shot at the reigning 185-pound champion, Israel Adesanya.

Standing his way of that task will be Paulo Costa, a middleweight mainstay who will be making his own return to the Octagon after a lengthy layoff. The last time fans saw ‘The Eraser’ inside the cage was at UFC 278 in August 2022. Costa earned a unanimous decision win against Luke Rockhold, snapping a two-fight losing streak.

UFC 294 is scheduled to be headlined by a lightweight championship rematch between reigning titleholder Islam Makhachev and ex-champ Charles Oliveira.

Paulo Costa promises ‘masterclass’ in return fight with Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294

One-time UFC middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa is ready to put on a masterclass when he returns to the Octagon in October. Originally scheduled to compete against Russian standout Ikram Aliskerov at UFC 291 later this month, ‘The Eraser’ will instead compete at UFC 294 when the promotion heads back to Etihad Arena in Abu […]

One-time UFC middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa is ready to put on a masterclass when he returns to the Octagon in October.

Originally scheduled to compete against Russian standout Ikram Aliskerov at UFC 291 later this month, ‘The Eraser’ will instead compete at UFC 294 when the promotion heads back to Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Meeting him in the middle of the Octagon will be the undefeated Chechen monster, Khamzat Chimaev. UFC President Dana White made the blockbuster announcement on Wednesday while also revealing that the event will be headlined by a lightweight title rematch between reigning champion Islam Makhachev and former titleholder Charles Oliveira.

Since the announcement, Paulo Costa has stayed busy on social media, delivering his special brand of humor and trash-talk. In one of his more toned-down posts, ‘Borrachinha’ guaranteed fans a masterful performance against Chimaev this fall.

“This whole thing is a big 4 -D Chess BOARD. The checkmate is coming fast. This gonna be called Paulo MASTER CLASS when it be finished,” Costa tweeted.

Paulo Costa Ready to End Khamzat Chimaev’s Hype

Paulo Costa won 10-straight bouts en route to his first opportunity at UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. Costa came up short in his lone title bid, suffering a second-round knockout during their scrap at UFC 253. The Eraser’ followed that up with a second-straight loss to perennial contender Marvin Vettori 10 months later, but has since bounced back with a solid unanimous decision win over former champion Luke Rockhold.

As for Khamzat Chimaev, ‘Borz’ is undefeated in his mixed martial arts career, boasting a record of 12-0, including six victories inside the Octagon. Chiamev burst onto the scene in 2020, scoring three finishes in less than two months’ time. Since then, ‘Borz’ has added three more wins. Chimaev ragdolled both Li Jingliang and Kevin Holland on his way to submission victories, but his biggest test yet came between those two fights.

Chimaev went toe-to-toe with Gilbert Burns in a three-round war at UFC 273 last year. While there were moments where it appeared Chimaev was in trouble, he managed to walk away with a unanimous decision victory.

Will ‘Borz’ earn himself a middleweight title opportunity with another highlight-reel-worthy win at UFC 294, or will Paulo Costa stop the Khamzat Chimaev hype train dead in its tracks?

Photo – Khamzat Chimaev shows off impressive physique ahead of Paulo Costa fight in UFC 294 comeback

Khamzat Chimaev shows off an impressive physique ahead of a middleweight clash against Paulo Costa later this year. Finally, it has been announced that Chimaev has a fight booked after what will be 13 months out of action, with no reported injury, illness or visa issues. This is strange for someone who built is initial […]

Khamzat Chimaev shows off an impressive physique ahead of a middleweight clash against Paulo Costa later this year.

Finally, it has been announced that Chimaev has a fight booked after what will be 13 months out of action, with no reported injury, illness or visa issues. This is strange for someone who built is initial reputation for seemingly being willing to fight anyone at the drop of a hat.

Chimaev will take on marauding middleweight, Costa, at the 185lb limit in what could present the biggest challenge of his career. Last time out after missing out on a fight against Nate Diaz due to missing weight, ‘Borz’ took on Kevin Holland, easily dispatching of the American in just over two minutes.

His October 21 bout against Costa at UFC 294 could mark the official end of his welterweight days. The 29-year-old was always a massive welterweight and struggled with the weight, but in a new social media post he is looking as big as he ever has.

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Paulo Costa set for UFC 294

Initially, the announcement was a bit of a surprise after Costa had supposedly been booked to face Ikram Aliskerov at UFC 291. However, it was reported that he was no longer fighting next week and just a couple days following, Costa was booked to face Chimaev. The Brazilian reacted to the announcement, Tweeting – “It’s OFFICIAL. I told you guys, I never lied. Abu Dhabi I’m bringing tha CHAOS to YOU ALL”

The pair have gone back and forth on social media for some time now, even having an altercation at the UFC performance institute.

The fight is certainly an intriguing one, Chimaev will no longer have a size and strength advantage, a large part of his success so far. While he will have the grappling advantage, Costa is a big middleweight with fantastic athleticism and is more than capable defensively. How it plays out on the feet will be interesting, while he possesses power, Chimaev has shown vulnerability, particularly in his fight against Gilbert Burns and now standing opposite him will be a man who has proven power and durability.

Who wins, Khamzat Chimaev or Paulo Costa?