Paulo Costa has given up on sharing the Octagon with rival Khamzat Chimaev.
The middleweight stars have been feuding for a number of years, regularly insulting one another despite the fact that they had been by no means scheduled to combat. Whereas Chimaev constructed a powerful undefeated file and have become UFC champion, Costa was in a hunch that he solely just lately broke out of with back-to-back wins over Azamat Murzakhanov and Roman Kopylov.
Chimaev misplaced his middleweight title to Sean Strickland at UFC 328, so the timing might work out for Costa and Chimaev to lastly reconcile, however Costa would not count on Chimaev to bounce again from the disappointing loss anytime quickly.
“I do know that a lot of you want to see me face Gourmand Chen Chimaev, aka Gourmand Chen Chen, subsequent,” Costa stated in an Instagram video. “I do not assume that is going to occur. Why? As a result of he is broke. I believe he is carried out. I do not assume he’ll come again. Even when he grows up and may come again, it will not occur this yr. So let’s transfer on. This isn’t this yr. So let’s transfer on. I’ve a number of video games to play, a number of nice video games, nice video games.”
“I need to combat as quickly as attainable. I believe August is a good day. July is ok. So let’s transfer on. We are able to combat middleweight, mild heavyweight, even heavyweight, OK. We’ve an incredible host, so let’s transfer on.”
Costa has motive to be skeptical. Chimaev, who debuted in 2020, broke the UFC file for quickest win-to-win comeback in his first two fights, then capped off one among his breakthrough campaigns with a KO of Gerald Meerschaert in 17 seconds. Sadly for Chimaev followers, he has solely appeared in matches sporadically since then, logging simply seven video games in six years and as soon as in 2023, 2024, and 2025 (and thus far in 2026).
Chimaev contracted COVID-19 in 2021 and suffered lingering well being problems even after the sickness subsided. That is one rationalization for Chimaev’s lack of exercise, however he is additionally coping with visa and weight reduction points. Till Chimaev may be anticipated to indicate up extra constantly on combat nights, Costa is transferring ahead along with his sights set on a title combat with Strickland, undefeated heavyweight Josh Hokit or a grudge match towards BKFC champion Mike Perry.
“Please cease speaking about Gourmand Cheng Cheng, as a result of I look ahead to seeing you once more as quickly as attainable,” Costa stated. “You realize he needs to play that combat earlier than he loses, however psychological toughness shouldn’t be one among his qualities so he has a number of points to resolve earlier than he comes again. That is it. Let’s flip the web page and transfer on.
“I will provide you with three names: Hokitt, the heavyweight, Strickland, the middleweight, and Mike Perry.”
Watch Costa’s clip under.
