Paulo Costa is eager to get back in the octagon and has ambitious plans for his return. Following his impressive move up to light heavyweight and decisive victory over Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 327 earlier this year, the 35-year-old Brazilian is targeting a fight in July or August. He has also identified several potential opponents.
Paulo Costa reveals future plans, excluding Khamzat Chimaev
In a recent statement, Paulo Costa expressed his openness to competing in multiple weight classes, including middleweight, light heavyweight, and even heavyweight. Throughout his remarks, Costa also took several jabs at his rival, Khamzat Chimaev.
Costa had previously set his sights on Chimaev, even before his recent venture into the light heavyweight division. However, with Chimaev’s recent title loss to Sean Strickland, Costa now believes that Chimaev is mentally defeated, making a fight between them this year highly improbable.
Chimaev had initially intended to move up to light heavyweight if he had defeated Strickland earlier in the month. However, in the wake of his title defeat, the Chechen-born fighter has refocused on a rematch with “Tarzan,” postponing his aspirations of becoming a two-division champion.
Consequently, Costa is ready to remain active and face different opponents while Chimaev attempts to regain his standing. Costa has identified Josh Hokit, Mike Perry, and Sean Strickland as three potential opponents. He stated:
“I know many of you guys want me to face gourmet Chechen Chimaev, aka gourmet Chen Chen, next. I don’t think it’s going to happen. Why? Because he’s broke, I think he’s done. I don’t think he will be back, and even if he can grow up and be back, this will not be this year. So let’s move on. I have a bunch of fights. Great fights, great matches to do. Alright. I want to fight as soon as possible. I think August is an amazing date. Even July… So stop talking about gourmet Chechen, okay? You know I wished to do that fight before he lost, but you know mental strength is not one of his qualities. He has a lot of problems to solve.”
Watch Paulo Costa’s comments here:
‼️ Paulo Costa says fight with Khamzat Chimaev is NOT going to happen
He said he wants to fight in August-July
Open to fight at Middleweight, Light Heavyweight or even heavyweight
via @BorrachinhaMMA pic.twitter.com/XoGfrJurN0
— Dovy
(@DovySimuMMA) May 23, 2026