Paulo Costa is hoping to struggle Khamzat Chimaev subsequent as he says he’s the proper opponent for him.
Costa is coming off a call loss to Sean Strickland again at UFC 302 after shedding to Robert Whittaker by determination earlier this yr. In his final struggle towards Strickland, Costa didn’t throw an excessive amount of quantity or many energy punches, a minimum of when in comparison with his earlier UFC fights.
After shedding selections in his final two fights, Paulo Costa says he’s going to deliver again his previous self and isn’t nervous about determination wins anymore.
“So I promised Dana, Hunter, my staff, myself, I’ll transfer ahead. I’ll deliver again the previous Paulo that doesn’t look after factors,” Costa stated on The MMA Hour.
With Paulo Costa planning to be extra aggressive, he believes the proper opponent for him to do this is Khamzat Chimaev. He is aware of Chimaev will come out aggressive which can pressure him right into a struggle which is what he wants.
“That is what I need. However not solely me. I wish to deliver the struggle that folks wish to see. It’s quite simple. In fact, they ask me who I wish to struggle subsequent, I wish to struggle for the title. It’s apparent. However extra necessary than this, I wish to be and I’m making an attempt to be probably the most entertaining fighter I could be. So I believed this struggle towards Sean can be very enjoyable, nevertheless it wasn’t. It was boring. However subsequent, the struggle I feel is sensible to deliver lots of leisure, the struggle can be enjoyable, can be towards Chimaev. That is good,” Costa stated.
“He’s the proper type of fighter to deliver again that previous Paulo, to deliver again the [aggression], to deliver again the ferocity. I’m in search of that. I can’t wait to deliver again this as a result of I want redemption. I’m so upset. No person is extra upset than myself after I do a foul struggle towards Sean. I’m not speaking about losses. Losses come and go. However I’m upset about myself. I want that struggle and Chimaev is ideal man. I feel he’s a bit bit loopy, so this will likely be a really enjoyable struggle,” Costa added.
Nonetheless, Chimaev needed to pull out of his scheduled UFC Saudi Arabia struggle towards Robert Whittaker this Saturday so it’s unsure when he’ll be capable to struggle once more. However, when he’s prepared, Cosat is hopeful he could be Chimaev’s subsequent opponent.
Costa and Chimaev have been additionally scheduled to struggle one another final October however an an infection compelled him out of the bout.