Khamzat Chimaev believes Brazil will be on his side when he returns to the Octagon for a high-profile clash with Paulo Costa.
Earlier this month, Dana White made a blockbuster announcement, revealing that ‘Borz’ will move to the middleweight division for a showdown with the one-time title challenger when the promotion returns to Abu Dhabi on October 21. Speaking with TNT Sports’ Caroline Pearce whilst attending UFC London on Saturday, Chimaev offered up a prediction for his highly anticipated return at UFC 294 against Costa.
“Smash. Smash somebody, make money. To make that guy (Paulo Costa) cry, go home, and be in Brazil,” Chimaev said. “Nobody likes him. All Brazilians write to me and support me. That guy is not Brazilian. So, I’m gonna go smash this guy, let him cry.”
"Smash somebody. Make money. Be happy."
Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) set some clear expectations for his upcoming fight with Paulo Costa at #UFC294.
[@VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi ]
— UFC News (@UFCNews) July 22, 2023
Khamzat Chimaev Returns to the Octagon After a Lengthy Layoff
By the time Khamzat Chimaev steps back inside the Octagon, it will have been more than a year since he ragdolled Kevin Holland en route to a first-round submission at UFC 279. Asked why the long layoff, ‘Borz’ insisted that everyone has simply been too afraid to put their money where their mouth is.
“I don’t know. I make everyone scared. [Kamaru] Usman says he’s the boogeyman and all these guys talk about me, but when it comes to the fight, they have some surgeries, some problems,” Chimaev continued. “So, I don’t know. I’ll fight with everybody. Ask Dana White, I never said no. I’m ready always. It’s been a long time. I’ve been training. When big money comes, maybe it’s hard to make a fight for me.”
With a win over Paulo Costa at UFC 294, Khamzat Chimaev will likely find himself in line for a shot at the middleweight title, currently held by none other than Israel Adesanya. Asked if he’s eyeing a potential title tilt with the ‘The Last Stylebender,’ Chimaev said:
“Of course. If he stays the champ, he’s on my eye. All champs are. It doesn’t matter. I want my belts. At least three belts.”
Chimaev will step into the Octagon riding a 12-fight undefeated steak since making his mixed martial arts debut in 2018. Six of those victories have come under the UFC banner, all coming by way of finish with the exception of one. His three-round war with Gilbert Burns at UFC 273. ‘Borz’ walked away with a unanimous decision victory that night, proving that he is more than capable of hanging with the elite.
