Khamzat Chimaev is making a comeback to the middleweight division after defeating welterweight contender "Trailblazer" Kevin Holland at UFC 279.
Follow Us
Khamzat Chimaev is making a comeback to the middleweight division. “Borz” has been absent from competition since his first-round submission triumph over welterweight contender “Trailblazer” Kevin Holland at UFC 279, an impressive win marred by a problematic weight cut that ultimately led to the conclusion of Chimaev’s turbulent journey in the 170-pound category.
For his comeback in the middleweight division, Khamzat Chimaev faces a challenging opponent in the form of the sixth-ranked former title contender, Paulo Costa. This high-stakes matchup is set to take place at UFC 294 on October 21 in Abu Dhabi, ensuring a formidable test for Chimaev.
Read More: Conor McGregor’s manager Audie Attar reveals UFC star’s potential WWE venture
Israel Adesanya expressed his uncertainty about the fight’s outcome but leaned slightly toward favoring Khamzat, citing his affinity for fresh talent. Adesanya acknowledged Paulo Costa as a formidable opponent, despite making their encounter seem effortless. Ultimately, he revealed a preference for Khamzat in this upcoming bout.
“I don’t know who’s going to win but I think if I’m favoring, I might be favoring Khamzat a little bit more,” UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya told MMA Fighting. “Because I like new blood. I just made Paulo look easy but trust me, he’s a hard fight. He’s a hard fight but I made him look easy. But I think I’m rooting for Khamzat more in that fight.”
Adesanya halted Costa’s undefeated streak in their UFC 253 championship showdown in late 2020, securing a second-round victory over “The Eraser.” This marked the first loss of Costa’s professional fighting career.
The 32-year-old Brazilian fighter, with a record of 14 wins and 2 losses, experienced a setback following that defeat, as he suffered a unanimous decision loss to the rugged Marvin Vettori at UFC Vegas 41. However, he managed to bounce back with a unanimous decision victory over former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold at UFC 278. In contrast, Chimaev, aged 29, has maintained an unblemished record throughout his first 12 fights.
Read More: Conor McGregor’s deleted Instagram post sparks speculation after USADA deadline mishap
For more UFC news
Get the latest from Sportslumo.com by following us on Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube
