Tag: Paulo Costa

Recovering from multipl surgical procedures to address a nasty bursitis infection in his elbow, former undisputed middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa remains hopeful of fighting this year despite his withdrawal from UFC 294 over the course of last weekend, claiming he would be open to fighting arch-enemy, Khamzat Chimaev as soon as December. 

Costa, the current number six ranked middleweight contender, was slated to fight at UFC 294 last weekend against rival, Chimaev, until a bursitis infection in his elbow – which has required three surgical procedures to address, forced his exit from the co-main event slot.

Attending the event nevertheless in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Costa watched on from fighter row as Chimaev took home a close, majority decision win over former welterweight champion and prior pound-for-pound number one, Kamaru Usman in a short-notice middleweight title-eliminator.

Paulo Costa laughs off Khamzat Chimaev’s “weak” win at UFC 294

Providing an update on his own respective fighting plans, Costa, who has been sidelined since a decision win over ex-champion, Luke Rockhold in August of last year – claimed he could fight as soon as December, as well as mocking Chimaev’s performance against Usman, describing it as “weak”.

“It was a horrible fight, in my opinion, for (Khamzat) Chimaev,” Paulo Costa told Submission Radio. “I think Usman did what he could do. Usman was very short notice. You know, nine, 10 days training. And you need to fly to Abu Dhabi. You don’t have time to train. So, I think Chiamev messed with his opportunity to fight for the title. I don’t think he gonna fight for the title next, because Usman is not a legit middleweight. He was 170 pounds, very good fighter, we know.”

“And I think if Usman had a little bit more time to train, like, three weeks, he would have beat him for sure,” Paulo Costa explained. “So, I truly believe, to be honest, to be fair, you need to fight a legit middleweight to be able to deserve something. So, I’m here, right here. So, why not? I will be able to fight in December. You can do this in December or January. I don’t know, I think December is time enough. I have been training for this fight for entire year since January when UFC contacted me about the fight. And yeah, I don’t need too much time. Just finish to healing this arm and jump in the training camp for five weeks is enough for me. I’m ready.” 

Who would you like to see Paulo Costa fight in his return to the UFC?

Recovering from multipl surgical procedures to address a nasty bursitis infection in his elbow, former undisputed middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa remains hopeful of fighting this year despite his withdrawal from UFC 294 over the course of last weekend, claiming he would be open to fighting arch-enemy, Khamzat Chimaev as soon as December. 

Costa, the current number six ranked middleweight contender, was slated to fight at UFC 294 last weekend against rival, Chimaev, until a bursitis infection in his elbow – which has required three surgical procedures to address, forced his exit from the co-main event slot.

Attending the event nevertheless in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Costa watched on from fighter row as Chimaev took home a close, majority decision win over former welterweight champion and prior pound-for-pound number one, Kamaru Usman in a short-notice middleweight title-eliminator.

Paulo Costa laughs off Khamzat Chimaev’s “weak” win at UFC 294

Providing an update on his own respective fighting plans, Costa, who has been sidelined since a decision win over ex-champion, Luke Rockhold in August of last year – claimed he could fight as soon as December, as well as mocking Chimaev’s performance against Usman, describing it as “weak”.

“It was a horrible fight, in my opinion, for (Khamzat) Chimaev,” Paulo Costa told Submission Radio. “I think Usman did what he could do. Usman was very short notice. You know, nine, 10 days training. And you need to fly to Abu Dhabi. You don’t have time to train. So, I think Chiamev messed with his opportunity to fight for the title. I don’t think he gonna fight for the title next, because Usman is not a legit middleweight. He was 170 pounds, very good fighter, we know.”

“And I think if Usman had a little bit more time to train, like, three weeks, he would have beat him for sure,” Paulo Costa explained. “So, I truly believe, to be honest, to be fair, you need to fight a legit middleweight to be able to deserve something. So, I’m here, right here. So, why not? I will be able to fight in December. You can do this in December or January. I don’t know, I think December is time enough. I have been training for this fight for entire year since January when UFC contacted me about the fight. And yeah, I don’t need too much time. Just finish to healing this arm and jump in the training camp for five weeks is enough for me. I’m ready.” 

Who would you like to see Paulo Costa fight in his return to the UFC?

Paulo Costa gets into brawl while cageside at UFC 294 last night in Abu Dhabi. 

While Costa had been pulled form his fight against Khamzat Chimaev, set for the co-main event of the UFC’s return to the Middle East, it didn’t stop him from brawling at the event. Social media showed the Brazilian throwing a right hand after a member of the crowd launched themselves at him while attempting to strike him. 

Costa had to withdraw from his fight with Chimaev after suffering a serious infection to his elbow after undergoing surgery. It’s unclear on when Costa is expected to return, and who he will face.

Paulo Costa reacts to cageside fight with audience member

Following the event, Costa took to his YouTube channel to give his side of the short scrap.

Motherf****r say this, show this to me,” Costa explained, Holding up his middle finger. “So I mock his face, and next time I come in the hallway, I saw him and wave to him. And when the guy is far from you he’s very brave. But when I came, he just came to talk but he tried ‘F U’ again, so I grab him and I pull him.” (H/T MMA Mania)

“And then some other guys pull, three other guys pull, jump the fence,” Costa continued. “So security came, and the guy that showed me his finger, he jumped me as well. I just saw his big forehead and man, I can’t miss that big head. Even with my arm, I bam in the forehead. Straight there. So that’s a good lesson for some that think just because I’m injury I can’t f**k you around. I will.”

Costa’s scheduled opponent, Chimaev, would defeat late replacement Kamaru Usman over the three rounds after the latter stepped in on 10 days notice. 

What would you like to see Paulo Costa do Next?

Former middleweight title challenger has revealed plans to land a return to he Octagon “sooner than later” amid his withdrawal from a scheduled UFC 294 fight with Khamzat Chimaev this weekend in Abu Dhabi, UAE, as he continues to deal with a grisly bursitis infection in his elbow.

Costa, the current number six ranked middleweight contender, was slated to make his return to the Octagon this weekend in the co-main event of UFC 294 in the Middle East – taking on the undefeated welterweight contender, Chimaev in the latter’s return to the middleweight limit since a promotional bow.

Sidelined since August of last year, the Brazilian most recently landed a unanimous decision win over former undisputed middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold in Salt Lake City, Utah – snapping a two-fight losing run in the process.

Forced out of his UFC 294 fight with Chimaev, Costa revealed he underwent a surgical procedure just three weeks out from the bout in order to address a bursitis infection in his elbow, however, was ultimately pulled from the card.

In his place comes former undisputed welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, who takes on the undefeated, Chimaev on just 10 days’ notice – in an official middleweight title fight eliminator.

Paulo Costa plans quickfire return to the UFC amid elbow injury

Revealing two subsequent surgical procedures to address a nasty infection in his elbow following his withdrawal, Costa announced plans for a return to active competition sooner rather than later.

“Official speech about the medical impediment and remove (sic) from the fight on October 21st in Abudhabi (sic),” Paulo Costa posted on his official X account. “I will be back sooner than later. Thanks.” 

Who would you like to see Paulo Costa fight in his UFC comeback?