Get ready for an explosive UFC middleweight showdown as undefeated Khamzat Chimaev takes on Paulo Costa. Find out all the details and updates on this highly anticipated fight at UFC 294.
Two of the most popular fighters in the UFC middleweight division are set to collide this fall in a highly anticipated showdown. Undefeated rising star Khamzat Chimaev will make his return to the Octagon at 185 pounds to take on the formidable Paulo Costa at UFC 294 on October 21st. The event will take place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and is expected to be an explosive night of fights.
The main event of UFC 294 will feature a lightweight title rematch between champion Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira. However, it remains uncertain whether the Chimaev-Costa bout will serve as the co-main event.
Both Chimaev and Costa were originally scheduled for different fights before this highly-anticipated matchup was announced. Costa was initially set to face Ikram Aliskerov at UFC 291 in Salt Lake City, but he was pulled from that bout to go head-to-head with Chimaev. Aliskerov, on the other hand, will now face Nassourdine Imavov at UFC 294.
Chimaev, who is currently ranked No. 4 in the welterweight division by ESPN, boasts an impressive undefeated record of 12-0. The Chechen-born fighter last competed in September, securing a first-round submission victory over Kevin Holland at UFC 279. Chimaev has been a force to be reckoned with in the UFC, winning all six of his fights in the promotion, with five of those victories coming by way of finish. Notably, he holds the record for the fastest three-fight winning streak in UFC history, accomplishing the feat in just 66 days.
Meanwhile, Costa, ranked No. 7 in the middleweight division, is coming off a unanimous decision win against Luke Rockhold at UFC 278 in August 2022. The Brazilian fighter bounced back from a two-fight losing streak with that impressive victory. Throughout his UFC career, Costa has emerged victorious in six out of his eight fights, with his only losses coming against Marvin Vettori and current middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.
The clash between Chimaev and Costa is expected to be a thrilling battle between two elite fighters in the middleweight division. Fight fans around the world are eagerly anticipating this matchup, as both competitors possess incredible skill sets and have proven themselves to be dominant forces in the Octagon.
Stay tuned for more updates on UFC 294 and the exciting showdown between Khamzat Chimaev and Paulo Costa.
reference: www.espn.ph
