Paulo Costa is determined not to let his ongoing rivalry with Khamzat Chimaev fade away. This simmering feud dates back to September 2022, when the two fighters crossed paths at the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/mma/ufc/”>UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas. At that moment, an intense altercation broke out which required UFC security to intervene and separate them, preventing the situation from escalating into a physical fight. Although Chimaev was competing at 170 pounds at the time, complications with his weight limit pushed him to move up to the middleweight division, setting the stage for a potential showdown with Costa.
The high anticipation for their grudge match grew as both fighters exchanged passive yet pointed remarks online, creating a buzz that suggested a Pay-Per-View event featuring the pair was imminent. UFC 294, scheduled to take place at the Etihad Arena, was set to be the battleground for their feud. Unfortunately, Costa was sidelined due to a severe elbow infection that required additional surgery, which rendered him unable to make weight in time for the fight, delaying the highly anticipated meeting.
Paulo Costa’s UFC 318 Return and His Bold Message
Now poised to return at UFC 318 in New Orleans, during the event headlined by Holloway versus Poirier 3, Paulo Costa aims to reinsert himself into the middleweight title picture by securing a victory. If he wins, Costa has stated his intention to immediately call out Khamzat Chimaev, using his post-fight interview as a platform to demand the matchup that fans and analysts have long awaited.
If God gives me this victory, I will call his name, …I’m gonna call this son of a bit*h, motherfuc*er for a fight — He needs to fight me. I need to fight him. I have tried to fight him for a long time, since we had a beef in the PI. He has been avoiding fighting me for a long time. He always say no, and UFC has tried to put this match up for a long time, like two years ago … Chimaev say no, he wants to fight anybody at 185…
— Paulo Costa on “The Ariel Helwani Show” for ‘Uncrowned’ Combat
Costa’s fiery remarks capture the frustration that has built up over years of postponed plans and unfulfilled challenges. He highlighted that the UFC has repeatedly attempted to schedule the fight, only for Chimaev to decline opportunities, insisting he would rather face other middleweight contenders. Costa, currently ranked 13th in the middleweight division, views this fight as a critical step to regain momentum and reestablish his standing in the title hunt.
The Personal Dimension of Their Rivalry
The hostility extends beyond the octagon, reaching into their personal lives. Allegations have emerged that Khamzat Chimaev sent messages to Costa’s girlfriend, Tamara Alves, which intensified the bitter feelings between the two camps. Paulo Costa has openly discussed these interactions, emphasizing their impact on the rivalry’s intensity.
[Also] He sent a message for my girl, Tamara…He acted like a woman. He tricked her, he said some bad sh*t [also] — He said something like, ‘I’m going to beat your husband and I’m going to do bad things,’ this, that.
— Paulo Costa
Chimaev, representing the Allstars Training Center, later confirmed the existence of the grudge, though the exact nature of the messages remains unclear. This personal feud adds an edge to what is already a highly anticipated sporting conflict, making this matchup potentially explosive both inside and outside the cage.
A Timeline of UFC Performances and Missed Opportunities
Since their initial confrontation, both fighters have experienced different trajectories in their careers. Paulo Costa suffered back-to-back defeats against former champions Sean Strickland and Robert Whittaker. Meanwhile, Khamzat Chimaev solidified his place as a top contender by submitting Kamaru Usman with a first-round face crank at UFC 294, boosting his chances for a title shot.
Chimaev is now preparing to challenge for a UFC championship at UFC 319, which will take place in August at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Should Chimaev fail to secure the title then, a fight against Costa could finally be realized, giving Costa a golden opportunity to reignite the fierce competition that has been brewing since their initial altercation.
Earlier Issues Between Paulo Costa and Dana White
Paulo Costa’s journey in the UFC has not been free of conflict beyond his rivalry with Chimaev. His relationship with UFC President Dana White has fluctuated over time, rooted in early frustrations related to his contract and performance expectations while fighting at middleweight. Despite starting his UFC career with an undefeated run of five wins, Costa struggled with perceived unfair compensation and management decisions in his first six bouts.
I support Dana White, right now. [But] Back in the day I wasn’t… Back in the day we had some beef, not that he really did bad things to me, [but] I was a little bit sad and mad. The first six fights on my contract were horrible, I was getting paid unfairly.
— Paulo Costa
Costa explained that his initial UFC contract paid a base amount of $10,000 per fight, which he felt was insufficient given his performance and potential. His frustrations came to a head after his first title shot against Israel Adesanya at UFC 253. Costa openly admitted that his poor showing was influenced by drinking wine the night before the fight, a personal mistake that strained his relationship with the UFC leadership.
With UFC 318 marking his return, Costa is hoping to put past grievances behind him by securing a significant win over Roman Kopylov, aiming to climb back into the contender conversation.
The Future of the Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev Bout
The clash between Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev represents more than just a fight; it embodies a longstanding personal and professional rivalry that has been years in the making. Should Costa claim victory at UFC 318, his bold promise to call out Chimaev could finally push the UFC to schedule the highly anticipated grudge match.
Given Chimaev’s upcoming title fight and Costa’s drive to reclaim his standing, a showdown between these two could become one of the cage’s most intense and emotionally charged matchups. Fans will be watching closely to see if this fierce rivalry escalates at UFC 319 or if yet another delay occurs in what many consider a fight that must happen.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Paulo Costa ranked?
A. Paulo Henrique Costa was born on April 21, 1991, in Brazil. He is a professional mixed martial artist.
He fights in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of June 10, 2025, he is ranked #13 among middleweight fighters in the UFC.
Q. What rank is Paulo Costa?
A. As of June 10, 2025, he holds the 13th spot in the UFC middleweight rankings.