Costa Calls Out Chimaev: “Lacks the Courage to Fight”
In a revealing interview, Paulo Costa criticizes Khamzat Chimaev for avoiding a confrontation, declaring that “Borz” is not man enough to face him. Following an 18-month hiatus, Costa returned to the Octagon at UFC 298, facing former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker. Despite a valiant effort against “The Reaper,” Costa faced defeat, leaving his future in the top ranks of the middleweight division uncertain.
Costa was slated for a comeback against Khamzat at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi last October but had to withdraw due to a severe infection weeks before the fight. Since then, Costa has been vocal about his desire for UFC to reschedule the bout with Khamzat, who seems less inclined.
“He needs to stop running,” Costa stated during an interview with Submission Radio. “He needs to have the balls to face me. This guy has been dodging the fight for a long time. He has no balls. If the guys don’t force him, he doesn’t have the courage to fight me. He wants easy matches… He doesn’t want to face guys like me, (Robert) Whittaker, or anyone similar. He wants to face guys without wrestling, without jiu-jitsu, without grappling.”
Despite his criticisms of Khamzat, Costa eyes a match with one of “Borz’s” former opponents, former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, whom Khamzat defeated via majority decision on short notice. Considering both are coming off losses, Costa sees a fight against Usman as a logical next step.
“I think he has done everything he can in welterweight. So I think it’s time. He’s not that young either… So I think it’s time for him to move up to middleweight. I think that’s the fight that should be booked and can take one of us back to the top.”
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“He needs to stop running,” said Costa to Submission Radio about Khamzat. “He needs to have the balls to face me.”
“He wants easy matches… He doesn’t want to face guys like me, (Robert) Whittaker, or anyone similar.”
“I think he has done everything he can in welterweight. So I think it’s time for him to move up to middleweight.”
