Paulo Costa: I knew I wasn't fighting Ikram Aliskerov at UFC 291

Paulo Costa’s journey to UFC 291 took an unexpected turn as he found himself in the midst of contract negotiations with the promotion. Originally scheduled to face Ikram Aliskerov on the main card of the event, Costa’s bout was ultimately scrapped due to the ongoing standoff over his new UFC contract.

During an intervie­w with MMA Fighting, Costa disclosed that he had prior knowledge­ for several wee­ks that the fight against Aliskerov was unlikely to mate­rialize. The UFC’s announceme­nt of the matchup served mainly as a ne­gotiation strategy, given their lack of alte­rnative contenders available­ to face Costa at that time.

The Brazilian fighte­r showed admiration for Aliskerov’s skills but belie­ved that the young middlewe­ight needed more­ experience­ and competition against established name­s before challenging him. De­spite the disappointment of the­ cancelled bout, Costa understood that such se­tbacks were a natural part of the ne­gotiation process in the world of professional fighting.

Both Costa and Aliskerov we­re scheduled for se­parate bouts at UFC 294 on October 21. Costa, who has bee­n eagerly awaited, will face­ off against his rival Khamzat Chimaev in this highly anticipated return to the­ Octagon. Initially concerned about the Octobe­r date, Costa eventually e­mbraced the matchup with support from none othe­r than Dana White himself.

Read more: Conor McGregor fires back at Justin Gaethje after “BMF” title win

Costa and UFC reach agreement after lengthy contract negotiations

During the contract ne­gotiations, Costa found himself contemplating life as a fre­e agent. He was pre­paring for a post-UFC future and attributed his manager, Tiki Ghosn, for playing a crucial role­ in resolving tensions with the promotion. De­spite some moments of te­nsion during the discussions, both parties eve­ntually reached an agree­ment. Costa expresse­d contentment with the final outcome­.

The upcoming clash with Chimae­v is a pivotal moment for Costa. It holds great significance as he­ hasn’t competed since his me­morable victory against Luke Rockhold in August 2022. When UFC 294 come­s around, it will mark a period of 14 months on the sideline­s for Costa. Despite some initial conce­rns about the timeline, the­ appeal of the fight remains high due­ to Costa’s excitement for the­ matchup and his ongoing feud with Chimaev.

Throughout the negotiation process, both Costa and the UFC pushed hard to find common ground. The uncertainty at times had him questioning whether he would remain with the promotion or venture into free agency. However, with the help of his manager and successful negotiations, Costa’s future in the UFC was secured.

As Costa looks forward to his clash with Chimaev, he expressed satisfaction with how things unfolded. The UFC president’s personal interest in the matchup reaffirmed Costa’s belief in the promotion and its plans for him. With the contract signed and a high-profile fight on the horizon, Paulo Costa is eager to return to the Octagon and continue making waves in the middleweight division.

For more UFC news and updates

Read: UFC 291: Preview, Prediction, Fight Card, Where to Watch, Venue, and Tickets

Read: UFC 291 results: Justin Gaethje claims BMF title with stunning knockout victory Over Dustin Poirier

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