Brazilian powerhouse Paulo Costa is gearing up for his highly anticipated return to the Octagon at UFC 318, and he’s not just focused on winning—he’s got a name in mind for what comes next. According to sources close to the former title challenger, Costa is planning to reignite his heated rivalry with undefeated star Khamzat Chimaev and will publicly call him out following a win this weekend.
The feud between Costa and Chimaev has been simmering for over a year, fueled by verbal jabs, social media skirmishes, and a nearly booked fight that ultimately fell apart. Originally scheduled to meet at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, the bout was canceled after Costa underwent elbow surgery just weeks before the event. Chimaev went on to defeat Kamaru Usman in a close decision, while Costa has been recovering and plotting his comeback.
Now, with UFC 318 just days away, Costa’s camp confirms that the Brazilian plans to make a bold statement—inside the cage and on the mic.
“Paulo wants that fight,” said a member of Costa’s team. “He never backed out from Khamzat. The injury was real, but the fire’s still burning. After he wins at UFC 318, he’s going to call Chimaev out loud and clear.”
Costa (14-3) is known for his aggressive style, powerful striking, and outspoken personality. His past rivalries—with fighters like Israel Adesanya and Marvin Vettori—have kept him in the spotlight, even in periods of inactivity. A showdown with Chimaev would be a fan-favorite grudge match, filled with animosity, stylistic contrast, and title implications.
Chimaev (13-0), meanwhile, remains one of the most hyped and polarizing figures in the UFC. Despite questions about his weight class and inactivity, “Borz” has maintained his unbeaten record and continues to call for big-name opponents.
The potential Costa vs. Chimaev clash would be a massive middleweight showdown, likely headlining a pay-per-view event. Fans have been eagerly waiting for it since their clash nearly materialized in 2023, and Costa’s renewed interest could push the UFC to revisit the matchup.
Whether Costa gets the win at UFC 318 remains to be seen, but one thing’s certain—his post-fight interview could set the stage for one of the most explosive rivalries in recent memory to finally reach the cage.
