Khamzat Chimaev has fired back after Paulo Costa challenged him following his recent victory over Roman Kopylov. The tension escalated when Costa accused Chimaev of sending direct messages to his wife, prompting Chimaev to respond by claiming it was, in fact, Costa’s wife who contacted him first. This back-and-forth has intensified the ongoing Khamzat Chimaev Paulo Costa rivalry.
Chimaev stated,
“It was she who wrote to me habibi,”
highlighting the conflicting narratives between the fighters. When a fan requested Chimaev reveal the exchanged messages, he revealed that Costa’s wife had deleted all the conversations. A fan added, “She delete everything bro.”
This public exchange demonstrates that discord between Chimaev and Costa is far from resolved. Meanwhile, Chimaev is preparing to face Dricus Du Plessis for the middleweight title at UFC 319. Costa has expressed his intention to attend that event, likely adding fuel to this intense rivalry.
Paulo Costa’s Determined Quest for a Fight Against Chimaev
Paulo Costa’s callout of Chimaev following his win over Kopylov was expected, as he had already expressed his desire to face Chimaev at UFC 318 media day. Costa emphasized his eagerness and the personal nature of their dispute, vowing to pursue the match regardless of Chimaev’s recent successes.
Costa said,
“I want to fight him very badly.”
He continued,
“I want to hurt him. It doesn’t matter if he won the fight or not; it doesn’t matter. We need to fight. He talked very bad things about me to my girl on Instagram DM’s. This is totally personal. I feel angry just to hear his name, so we need to fight.”
He added,
“I’m going to do my best Saturday, if God gives me the victory because he controls everything, but I’m pretty sure I’ll get the victory and I’ll call his name. It doesn’t matter if he wins or not. This fight will only not happen if he retires.”
Costas also criticized Chimaev’s actions directly, calling them cowardly. He said,
“Dirty things, like, ‘You should look for a better man.’ Something like that, you know. Dirty things, dirty things. These are not things a real man, a confident man, ought to do. Why he messaged her? Why he didn’t message me? Coward. He is a coward.”
With Costa’s strong win over Kopylov, he appears one victory away from securing a match with Chimaev, ramping up anticipation for their eventual encounter.
What Lies Ahead in This Heated UFC Feud
The rivalry between Khamzat Chimaev and Paulo Costa continues to simmer as both fighters vie for supremacy in the middleweight division. While Chimaev’s upcoming title fight at UFC 319 against Dricus Du Plessis takes precedence, Costa’s expressed desire to be present promises continued tension and drama.
This feud brings a personal edge to the sport, fueled by social media exchanges and public challenges, suggesting their clash will be highly anticipated once it materializes. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely for the next developments, as the rivalry not only impacts their careers but also shakes up the UFC middleweight landscape.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Khamzat Chimaev a millionaire?
A. Khamzat Chimaev’s net worth is about $3 million. At 30 years old, he is very wealthy and famous in his home country, Russia. He has won all 14 of his professional MMA matches, with 12 ending before the final bell.
Q. Who is better, Khamzat Chimaev or Khabib?
A. Chimaev is undoubtedly the most skilled. Khabib and Islam are talented, but the Chechen excels in grappling and wrestling. These fights often feel boring.
Q. Does Khamzat Chimaev have a disease?
A. A 30-year-old got Covid in December 2020 and is still dealing with its lasting symptoms. Over the last four years, they have only competed four times.
Q. Has anyone beaten Khamzat Chimaev?
A. Khamzat Chimaev has a record of 14 wins, no losses, and no draws.