Paulo Costa eager to welcome Khamzat Chimaev to light heavyweight division

Paulo Costa has aimed a barrage of shots at Khamzat Chimaev after UFC 328. 

Chimaev put his middleweight title on the line against Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on Saturday in Newark, New Jersey. While Chimaev dominated the first round on the ground, Strickland found his momentum in the second and third rounds. After closely-contested championship rounds, Strickland roped in a split-decision victory in a monumental upset. 

Costa, who has had beef with Chimaev in the past, issued multiple callouts to “Borz” after his first professional loss. Costa posted an AI-generated video of himself knocking out Chimaev in a sauna room. The video also contains a glimpse of Costa and Chimaev’s altercation at the UFC Performance Institute, dating back to 2022.

“Gourmet Chechen, next time nobody will stop me from ripping your skin off!” Costa wrote.

Costa was training with the UFC PI in 2022 when Chimaev walked out of the sauna with his gang and allegedly started challenging “Borrachinha” to fight him on the spot. UFC veteran Jake Shields, who was training with Costa, accused Chimaev of putting on an act for the cameras and walking away while teasing a fight. 

Ready to Make the Move?

UFC president Dana White said that Chimaev (15-1) told him he wants to move up following his title loss at UFC 328. Costa (16-4), who is currently juggling between middleweight and light heavyweight, is ready to welcome Chimaev to the 205-pound division.

“Gourmet Chechen failed, give me that poodle, we won't reach a decision,” Costa wrote.

“Gourmet Chen chen isn’t ready for the SECRET JUICE 205 POWER.”

Costa is coming off back-to-back upset wins over Russian prospects Roman Kopylov and Azamat Murzakanov.