Tag: Paulo Costa

Undefeated finisher, Khamzat Chimaev has been tipped to struggle with the striking ability of Paulo Costa per a former opponent of his, Gilbert Burns – who claims their UFC 294 clash will ultimately be decided when both men exhibit their skills in the clinch.

Chimaev, who boasts an undefeated 12-0 professional record, is slated to return to the Octagon at UFC 294 in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE – making a return to the middleweight limit for the first time since his promotional bow to boot.

As for Costa, the Belo Horizonte native will feature for the first time since August of last year in his return against Khamzat Chimaev, having most recently snapped a two-fight losing skid in a close unanimous decision win over former champion, Luke Rockhold in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

Khamzat Chimaev warned of Paulo Costa’s striking ability ahead of UFC 294

Breaking down Chimaev’s middleweight ranks return against Costa later this year in the MIddle East, Burns, a former foe or the Chechen, claims his Brazilian counterpart could profit hugely if he manages to defend relentless takedown attempts from Chimaev.

“That is a good one,” Gilbert Burns said of the bout during an appearance at a Q&A event at UFC Singapore. “I’m even going to make a big breakdown of that on my YouTube channel, but it’s a very close fight. I think it’s going to be decided in the clinch.”

“I think Khamzat will come with a lot of pressure, [and] try to take Costa down,” Burns explained. “If he’s able, it’s going to be a big problem for Costa. But if Costa defends and can get away and use the striking, it’s going to be a long night for Khamzat. I think it’s a very close fight and it will be decided in the clinch. If Khamzat can take him down, Khamzat wins. But if Costa can defend it and use the striking, then Costa wins – very close fight.”

Can Khamzat Chimaev remain undefeated in his return at UFC 294?

Former middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa has landed the accolade as the current most tested fighter by anti-doping agency, USADA (United States Ant-Doping Agency) as of this year, ahead of his planned Octagon return at UFC 294 in October.

Costa, who currently holds the number six rank in the official middleweight pile, is slated to make his return at UFC 294 later this year, taking on the undefeated number four ranked welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev, in the latter’s return to the middleweight class.

Sidelined since he featured on the main card of UFC 278 back in August of last year, Belo Horizonte native, Paulo Costa turned in a unanimous decision win over former undisputed middleweight titleholder, Luke Rockhold, snapping a winless run of two fights, after consecutive losses to both Israel Adesanya, and Marvin Vettori.

And at the time of publication, Costa, alongside flyweight contender, Charles Johnson – have certainly caught the attention of the above-mentioned anti-doping agency, USADA, with the UFC partners administering a whopping 18 separate tests to the pair since the beginning of 2023. 

Paulo Costa tops USADA testing bill this year

Given the relatively high number of tests issued to Costa, the outspoken Brazilian – who has flaunted an apparent concoction, simply labelled “secret juice” in a marketing ploy this year, the sizeable contender has drawn attention to himself as a result, according to fans across social media. 

Prior to his booking with the undefeated finisher, Chimaev at UFC 294 later this year in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Costa was expected to fight Dana White’s Contender Series product, Ikram Aliskerov at UFC 291 at the end of alst month in Salt Lake City, Utah, however, confirmed he never put pen to paper on a deal.

UFC 294 takes place on October 21. from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with an undisputed lightweight title rematch between champion, Islam Makhachev, and former titleholder, Charles Oliveira set to take main event status. 

Do you expect Paulo Costa to beat Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294?

Former middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa has landed the accolade as the current most tested fighter by anti-doping agency, USADA (United States Ant-Doping Agency) as of this year, ahead of his planned Octagon return at UFC 294 in October.

Costa, who currently holds the number six rank in the official middleweight pile, is slated to make his return at UFC 294 later this year, taking on the undefeated number four ranked welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev, in the latter’s return to the middleweight class.

Sidelined since he featured on the main card of UFC 278 back in August of last year, Belo Horizonte native, Paulo Costa turned in a unanimous decision win over former undisputed middleweight titleholder, Luke Rockhold, snapping a winless run of two fights, after consecutive losses to both Israel Adesanya, and Marvin Vettori.

And at the time of publication, Costa, alongside flyweight contender, Charles Johnson – have certainly caught the attention of the above-mentioned anti-doping agency, USADA, with the UFC partners administering a whopping 18 separate tests to the pair since the beginning of 2023. 

Paulo Costa tops USADA testing bill this year

Given the relatively high number of tests issued to Costa, the outspoken Brazilian – who has flaunted an apparent concoction, simply labelled “secret juice” in a marketing ploy this year, the sizeable contender has drawn attention to himself as a result, according to fans across social media. 

Prior to his booking with the undefeated finisher, Chimaev at UFC 294 later this year in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Costa was expected to fight Dana White’s Contender Series product, Ikram Aliskerov at UFC 291 at the end of alst month in Salt Lake City, Utah, however, confirmed he never put pen to paper on a deal.

UFC 294 takes place on October 21. from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with an undisputed lightweight title rematch between champion, Islam Makhachev, and former titleholder, Charles Oliveira set to take main event status. 

Do you expect Paulo Costa to beat Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294?

Ahead of his Octagon return at UFC 294 in October, one-time middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa has promised a “savage” win over arch-rival, Khamzat Chimaev in their upcoming showdown – once more predicting a stoppage over the undefeated finisher. 

Costa, the current number seven ranked middleweight contender, has been sidelined from active competition since he took main card status at UFC 278 back in August, landing a close, unanimous decision win over former middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold.

As for Chimaev, the Chechen-born contender improved to 12-0 as a professional back in September of last year at UFC 279, landing a first round D’Arce choke submission win over Kevin Holland. 

Paulo Costa plots “savage” finish of Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294

Predicting various routes to victory over undefeated challenger, Chimaev in the Middle East, Costa has vowed to land a “savage” triumph over the former, insisting there is no way in which the AllStars MMA mainstay can win on ‘Fight Island’.

“I don’t see any chance of him (Khamzat Chimaev) winning the fight,” Paulo Costa told MMA Junkie. “Honestly, I’m being very honest. This will be savage. This will be fireworks. This will be wild. I bring my best, I will be there.”

“I think the winner of this fight is going to be the first for the title shot,” Paulo Costa explained. “I think the winner between me and Khamzat will be next in the line for the title shot.” 

Prior to his win over former middleweight champion, Rockhold, Costa had suffered a pair of losses consecutively to Italian contender, Marvin Vettori, which followed a first professional loss in the form of a second round TKO loss to two-time division champion, Israel Adesanya back in 2020 – in the Brazilian’s first title challenge under the banner of the Dana White-led promotion. 

Can Paulo Costa be the first to defeat Khamzat Chimaev in their UFC 294 clash?