Paulo Costa has finally moved on from the long-running rivalry with Khamzat Chimaev, making it clear that he no longer expects the long-discussed showdown to happen.
For years, fans pushed for a clash between the two outspoken stars, with both men trading shots back and forth without ever stepping inside the Octagon together. However now, Costa believes that chapter is closed.
Speaking in a recent Instagram video, Costa dismissed the idea of facing Chimaev anytime soon and questioned whether his rival will even return to action after his recent setback.
“I know many of you guys want to see me face ‘Gourmet Chenchen Chimaev,’ a.k.a. ‘Gourmet Chen Chen,’ next,” Costa said.
“I don’t think this is going to happen. Why? Because he’s broke. I think he’s done. I don’t think he’ll be back. And even if he can recover and return, it won’t be this year. So let’s move on.”
The comments come after Chimaev dropped the middleweight title to Sean Strickland at UFC 328, a loss that appears to have changed Costa’s outlook on the rivalry.
Costa, who recently snapped his rough run with back-to-back victories, said he is focused on staying active and taking bigger opportunities across multiple divisions.
“I want to fight as soon as possible,” Costa said. “I think August is a great date, even July. I can fight at middleweight, light heavyweight, even heavyweight. We have plenty of great options, so let’s move.”
While the bad blood with Chimaev once looked like one of the UFC’s most marketable grudge matches, Costa now believes his former rival has bigger issues to deal with before even thinking about stepping back into the cage.
“You know I wanted that fight before he lost, but mental strength is not one of his qualities,” Costa said. “He has a lot of problems to solve before coming back. So let’s turn the page and move on.”
Instead of waiting around, Costa laid out three names he wants next.
“I would bring three names for you guys: Josh Hokit at heavyweight, Sean Strickland at middleweight, and Mike Perry.”
For now, Costa appears done wasting energy on what could have been. If his latest comments are anything to go by, the Brazilian is focused on fresh matchups and staying active rather than chasing a rivalry that may never materialize.
