Paulo Costa Looking to Defeat Khamzat Chimaev In Two Weight Classes
Paulo Costa is moving up to light heavyweight but still has his crosshairs on reigning UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev.
Chimaev and Costa despise each other and share a strained relationship, and “The Eraser” is eager to face “Borz” and settle their differences inside the octagon someday.
In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, the Brazilian talked about launching his “Secret Juice” right after his next bout. After that, when asked if arch-rival Chimaev is on Costa’s mysterious concoction, he quipped:
“I don’t think so. I think he is looking fatty. Fat a*s. This guy does deserve secret juice. Secret juice is for nice people. He is not nice.”
Costa will be facing the undefeated Azamat Murzakanov on April 11 at UFC 327. He plans to dismantle “K Dojo” and then is game to battle Chimaev.
Paulo Costa is game to fight Khamzat Chimaev at 185 or 205 Pounds
During the same interview with Ariel Helwani, Paulo Costa added that after a BIG WIN at UFC 327, he could move back down to middleweight to potentially fight Khamzat Chimaev or instead wait for the latter to move up. He said:
“I’ve always made it public that I want to fight him [Khamzat Chimaev]. It’s about UFC. If UFC wants to make that fight one day, I’m ready. He’s a champion right now. I think after a good victory against Azamat on April 11, I can come back at middleweight to be in line to fight him, or I can wait for him at 205. I can fight him in both divisions. I think I’m going to enjoy 205, but I’m not closed to 185.”
The 34-year-old added:
“I think the worst match for Chimaev is me… This needs to happen [Costa vs Chimaev]. He is my goal. I am sick of him. I hope very soon we can fight.”
Check out Paulo Costa’s comments below (9:40):
Chimaev, who became the UFC middleweight champ last year, is expected to make his first title defense after Ramadan and will most likely face Nassourdine Imavov or Sean Strickland.
The Chechen-born Emirati plans to defend his 185-pound strap once and then move up to light heavyweight for two-division glory.
