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Paulo Costa chases elusive fight with Khamzat Chimaev in UFC return: ‘He will bring back the ferocity’

Paulo Costa calls for fight with Khamzat Chimaev in UFC next to bring back the ferocity In the midst of a two-fight losing skid since the beginning of this year, recent UFC 302 co-headliner, Paulo…

In the midst of a two-fight losing skid since the beginning of this year, recent UFC 302 co-headliner, Paulo Costa has staked his claim for a rescheduled bout with Khamzat Chimaev, claiming a grudge fight with the Chechen contender would “bring back the ferocity” within him.

Costa, the current number eight ranked middleweight contender, co-headlined UFC 302 at the beginning of this month in New Jersey, suffering a split decision defeat against former divisional champion, Sean Strickland in Newark.

Paulo Costa vows to take heads off in return after Sean Strickland loss at UFC 302 I have the power — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

And earlier this year, Belo Horizonte striker, Costa suffered another unanimous judging loss to former middleweight kingpin, Robert Whittaker in the co-main event of UFC 298 in Anaheim.

Paulo Costa UFC 302 Joe Camporeale USA TODAY Sports

Himself forced from a UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia return this weekend against would-be common-foe, Whittaker, unbeaten Chechnya star, Chimaev was struck down with a bout of food poisoning, forcing him from the premiere event for the promotion in Riyadh.

Paulo Costa eyes Khamzat Chimaev grudge match next

Linked with a quickfire return off the back of his decision loss to the outspoken Strickland earlier this month in ‘The Garden State’, Costa has vowed to fire on all cylinders in his return – and likes a reworked matchup with the above-mentioned, Chimaev.

“I think he [Khamzat Chimaev[ is the perfect kind of fighter to bring back the Paulo of old,” Paulo Costa told MMA Fighting. “To bring back the [aggression], to bring back the ferocity. I’m [looking] for that.”

“You can see on my face, I can’t wait, bring back this becuase I need the redemption,” Paulo Costa explained. “And I need that fight, and Chimaev is the perfect guy. I think he looks a little crazy, so this ought to be a very fun fight.”

Initially scheduled to feature at UFC 294 back in October, Costa was forced from a fight with Chimaev after suffering from a bursitis infection in his elbow – which required multple surgical procedures to address.

Paulo Costa versus Khamzat Chimaev in the future: Who wins?

Khabib Nurmagomedov is a great coach, but he ‘needs some work’ on becoming a cornerman after UFC 302

Khabib Nurmagomedov is widely considered to be one of the greatest mixed martial artists in the history of the…

Khabib Nurmagomedov is widely considered to be one of the greatest mixed martial artists in the history of the sport—but his skills as a cornerman could use some work.

‘The Eagle’ returned to Islam Makhachev’s corner at UFC 302, overseeing the Dagestani’s third successful defense of the lightweight world title via a fifth-round submission victory over division fan favorite Dustin Poirier. It marked the first time that Nurmagomedov was in his protege’s corner since he claimed the 155-pound crown against Charles Oliveira in October 2022.

Khabib Nurmagomedov, Javier Mendez, Islam Makhachev

Working the corner with Nurmagomedov was renowned MMA coach and American Kickboxing Academy founder Javier Mendez, who helped coach both ‘The Eagle’ and Makhachev to the top of the lightweight division. Speaking with The Schmo following the events of UFC 302, Mendez revealed that while Nurmagomedov is a great game planner, he needs a bit more fine-tuning when it comes to cornering a fighter.

“Khabib’s actually becoming a great coach and a great cornerman – [but] he needs some work on the cornering,” Mendez said. “He’s great at game planning, he’s fantastic at game planning but we need to work a little bit on the cornering – just a little bit” (h/t Bloody Elbow).

Mendez was able to expand on his comments during a follow-up interview with Helen Yee, revealing that Nurmagomedov’s biggest obstacle is his own excitement in the heat of the moment.

“He needs to master the corner though… We still need to work the corner because he goes a little crazy on there, up and down, slamming on the table – [I told him] ‘Calm down, calm down’. He gets really amped up,” Mendez added. “I mean he loves his fighters so much [as] his brothers that you know, he puts everything into that fight when he goes, I forgot what it was like to have him in the corner; it’s kind of crazy.”

Mendez Offered Khabib Nurmagomedov some advice on how to improve his corner work

Having coached a slew of MMA world champions, including Daniel Cormier, Cain Velasquez, Luke Rockhold, and Usman Nurmagomedov, ‘The Eagle’ would be wise to listen to any advice that Mendez has for him.

“I gave him instructions on ‘Hey, it’s okay to do what you need to do but just sit down, yell as loud as you can to get your fighters’ attention, you don’t have to hit the table, stand up and cause the commission to tell us to sit down,’ Mendez said.

“Scream as loud as you can – he goes ‘Coach, how am I going to reach him’, I go ‘Scream, scream as loud as you can’ but you’ve got to say things within reason because you got to listen the crowd, if the crowd’s screaming [too] then your fighter is going to hear nothing.”

With Makhachev’s win over Poirier, the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ will likely find himself squaring off with No. 1 ranked contender Arman Tsarukyan. No official announcements have been made, but ‘Ahalkalakets’ believes their long-awaited rematch will go down this October in Abu Dhabi or in November when the UFC heads back to the world’s most famous arena—Madison Square Garden.

Georges St-Pierre claims Islam Makhachev is the ‘Best pound-For-pound’ fighter after UFC 302

Former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre has hailed Islam Makhachev as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the…

Former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre has hailed Islam Makhachev as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

Makhachev is coming off his third defense of his lightweight title as he scored a fifth-round submission over Dustin Poirier. After the win, there was a debate if he or Jon Jones was the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. But, according to St-Pierre, he believes Makhachev is a top the list.

“He’s amazing,” St-Pierre said (via MMAFighting). “I think right now he’s the best pound-for-pound right now because of his last few performances. Just amazing. An amazing showcase of heart too, because he had a bad cut on his forehead, and Poirier gave him a tough time. Pushed the pace to the edge and I think that that fight is going to make Makhachev even better because these are the fights that make you grow.”

St-Pierre also thinks it will be a long time before Makhachev loses, if he ever does, as he calls the lightweight champ the best in the sport.

Dustin Poirier reflects on incredible squeeze from Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 it was like a vise grip — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

“I think in terms of skill, Makhachev right now is the best fighter, but that doesn’t mean if you’re the best that you always win,” St-Pierre said. “There’s a lot of other factors outside of our control that can influence the result. But I think Makhachev is the best, but even the best can lose sometimes.”

Georges St-Pierre says Islam Makhachev on track to being an all-time great

Islam Makhachev is currently 26-1 as a pro and coming off the win over Poirier. Although he has only defended his lightweight title three times, Georges St-Pierre says the Dagestani native is already on track to be one of the best ever.

gettyimages 1342173760 612x612 1 — LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 23: Former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre poses on the red carpet prior to the UFC Hall of Fame Class of 2020 Induction Ceremony at Park Theater at Park MGM on September 23, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

“I think he’s already starting to get to that status because beating Volkanovski and now his last two performances are amazing,” St-Pierre said.

If Makhachev can continue to defend his belt, or win the welterweight title and become a champ-champ, it would only help cement his case.

Georges St-Pierre claims Islam Makhachev is the ‘Best pound-For-pound’ fighter after UFC 302

Former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre has hailed Islam Makhachev as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the…

Former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre has hailed Islam Makhachev as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

St-Pierre also thinks it will be a long time before Makhachev loses, if he ever does, as he calls the lightweight champ the best in the sport.

Georges St-Pierre says Islam Makhachev on track to being an all-time great

“I think he’s already starting to get to that status because beating Volkanovski and now his last two performances are amazing,” St-Pierre said.

If Makhachev can continue to defend his belt, or win the welterweight title and become a champ-champ, it would only help cement his case.

Video – Dustin Poirier catches up with Team Khabib following UFC 302: ‘I just want to wish you the best’

After going toe-to-toe with Islam Makhachev for nearly five rounds, there was nothing, but respect between Dustin Poirier and…

After going toe-to-toe with Islam Makhachev for nearly five rounds, there was nothing, but respect between Dustin Poirier and Team Khabib.

Stepping into the main event spotlight at UFC 302 for his third and (likely) final shot at lightweight gold, ‘The Diamond’ threw everything he had at the Makhachev in hopes of being the man to finally dethrone the ‘Dagestani Destroyer.’ Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be. After 22 and a half minutes of intense action, Makhachev finally forced Poirier to tap out via a slick darce joke that ultimately put his opponent to sleep.

Though the animosity leading up to fight night was evident, there was nothing, but respect between Poirier and Makhachev’s team, led by UFC Hall of Famer and all-time great Khabib Nurmagomedov, once it was all said and done.

What’s next for Dustin Poirier and Islam makhachev?

As for what comes next, the picture is much more clear on Makhachev’s side of things. The Dagestani will likely find himself tasked with taking on No. 1 ranked lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan sometime this fall. Ahalkalakets’ earned his spot at the front of the line with a split decision victory over Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in April.

No official announcements have been made regarding their inevitable clash, but Tsarukyan recently suggested that it will likely go down this October in Abu Dhabi or in November at the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden.

With Poirier, the future is uncertain. Even before he made the walk in The Garden State, ‘The Diamond’ made it clear that UFC 302 could be his final stand. He did leave the door cracked open for a potential return, but has since told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour that he is “leaning towards being done.”

Conor McGregor rips alleged $500,000 PPV buy rate for UFC 302 card: ‘A nothing burger’

Ahead of his own return at UFC 303 later this month, former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor has hit out…

Ahead of his own return at UFC 303 later this month, former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor has hit out at UFC 302 headliners, Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier – claiming the pay-per-view event landed just a $500,000 buy rate.

McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight gold holder, has been sidelined since he fractured his left tibia and fibula back in 2021 against the above-mentioned, Poirier, dropping a first round doctor’s stoppage TKO defeat in the process.

Conor McGregor confirms UFC 303 fight with Michael Chandler is on amid scrutiny see ya's soon

And slated to make his comeback from an-almost three year layoff this month at UFC 303 in a main event fight against former title challenger, Michael Chandler, McGregor returns to the welterweight limit at the International Fight Week event.

Headlining UFC 302 earlier this month in New Jersey, pound-for-pound number one, Makhachev would land his third successful defense of his lightweight crown in a submission win over the previously mentioned common-foe, Poirier.

Latching onto a fifth round D’Arce choke submission, Makhachev forced a final frame tap from the former interim champion, before eventually choking him unconscious in an adversity-filled pairing between the duo.

Conor McGregor claims UFC 302 landed just $500,000 in PPV buys

Confirmed as turning in a $7,000,000+ gate at the Prudential Center in Newark, according to former duel-weight champion, McGregor, UFC 302 garnered just $500,000 in pay-per-view buys – much to his delight.

Replacement fight floated as Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler in jeopardy for UFC 303 — Mandatory Credit: Stacy Revere

“500k ppv buys [UFC] 302 done,” Conor McGregor posted on his official X account. “A nothing burger.”

Without a victory since 2020, McGregor’s most recent win came in the form of a first round knockout win over former lightweight title challenger, Donald Cerrone in a welterweight pairing – with the Hall of Fame star landing himself in hot water this week with some controversial comments about Russian nationals and Muslims.

Are you excited to see Conor McGregor fight at UFC 303 this month?