Paulo Costa does not expect Khamzat Chimaev to avenge his first loss in mixed martial arts.
‘Borz’ had his professional record blemished in the main event of UFC 328, which took place at the Prudential Center in Newark earlier this month.
Chimaev was beaten by Sean Strickland, who ended the Chechen’s middleweight title reign and became a two-division champion at 185 pounds in the process.
A rematch appears to be one of the options for Strickland’s first defense, but Costa does not think that would go any better for Chimaev than their first clash.
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Following Sean Strickland’s win over Khamzat Chimaev, how would you plan the next steps at middleweight?
Paulo Costa says a rematch with Sean Strickland would be ‘even worse’ for Khamzat Chimaev
Chimaev’s difficult weight cut is being blamed by many on the now-former champ’s team for his defeat in New Jersey.
After announcing his intentions to get that loss back, Chimaev has continued pushing for the Strickland rematch, despite Nassourdine Imavov’s strong claim to the next shot.
One of the Chechen’s longtime rivals, Paulo Costa, recently discussed the possibility of ‘Borz’ getting a chance at redemption, and it’s safe to say that the Brazilian does not see it going well for him.
“I think it’s gonna be even worse for Chimaev,” Costa said during a recent appearance on Submission Radio.
“Strickland is gonna beat him easier than he did. Strickland can be well prepared for the situation.
“People saying Khamzat was sick, he was bad, this is all bulls—. They’re trying to discredit Strickland,” he added.
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Dana White responds to Khamzat Chimaev’s request for a Sean Strickland rematch
Strickland’s next step has yet to be announced, but Dana White recently addressed talk of Chimaev’s rematch.
The UFC president cast doubt over ‘Borz’ getting an immediate shot at becoming a two-time middleweight champion during an appearance on The Bret Boone Podcast.
“Khamzat, right now, is asking for the rematch with Strickland,” White said.
“That’s what he wants. We don’t know what we’re gonna do yet.
“Strickland will fight anybody,” he added.
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