Paulo Costa is set to make his light heavyweight debut this weekend at UFC 327, facing undefeated contender Azamat Murzakanov in the co-main event. Ahead of the fight, Costa escalated tensions during the pre-fight press conference, making inflammatory remarks about his opponent and his nationality.
During a heated exchange, Costa referred to Murzakanov as “fat” and expressed strong negative sentiments towards Russian fighters. He stated, “I hate these f***king Russians. This is the second one in a row that I’m gonna put on my record, and the third one maybe Chimaev. I want him next after beating this fat guy.”
This verbal barrage follows Costa’s recent unanimous decision victory over Roman Kopylov, another Russian fighter. That win marked Costa’s return to the win column after a two-fight losing streak, and he appears eager to capitalize on this momentum.
Costa’s explicit targeting of Khamzat Chimaev, the current middleweight champion, suggests a strong desire for a high-profile title bout. The history between Costa and Chimaev could indeed pave the way for a significant championship clash.
Meanwhile, Khamzat Chimaev is scheduled to face former middleweight champion Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 328 in New Jersey. This highly anticipated fight is fueled by significant animosity between the two fighters. UFC CEO Dana White has even commented on the extensive security measures required for the event due to the intensity surrounding Chimaev and Strickland.
The anticipation for the trash talk and potential fireworks between Strickland and Chimaev at UFC 328 is immense, reminiscent of past intense rivalries in the UFC.