Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev. Photo: Gary A. Vasquez – USA TODAY Sports and Stefan Romare
Former title challenger Paulo Costa want the UFC to reschedule his fight with rival Khamzat Chimaev to UFC Saudi Arabia in February. That’s according to a recent tweet by the Brazilian middleweight.
“I have been persistently telling UFC to reschedule this fight for UFC Saudi Arabia, I can’t see a best main event of 5 rounds for it right now cause it’s make sense in Middle East,” Costa wrote on X. “I would love beat his ass over there. But, it’s looks like Gourmet Chenchen doesn’t want that smoke.”
I have been persistently telling the UFC to reschedule this fight for UFC Saudi Arabia, I can’t see a best main event of 5 rounds for it right now cause it’s make sense in Middle East. I would love beat his ass over there . but it’s looks like gourmet chenchen doesn't want that…
— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) December 6, 2023
The Brazilian fighter claimed he wants to stay active in 2024 after just fighting three times over the past four years. In fact he hasn’t stepped foot in the octagon in 2023 and hasn’t fought since an August 2022 decision win over Luke Rockhold.
“Other guys in List is Rob , if he is interested in this I proposal they should match up it sooner than later, cause I want to be active in 24,” Costa wrote on X.
Chimaev comes from a win against former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, who took Costa’s place on short notice at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi.