What's Happening With Paulo Costa? Khamzat Chimaev, UFC 294, Ikram Aliskerov

Nobody knows what's happening with Paulo Costa right now.

UPDATE: Paulo Costa is booked to fight Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, October 21. Per UFC.

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Fight fans remain uncertain about Paulo Costa's fight with Ikram Aliskerov on the main card of UFC 291, scheduled for July 29. Although Dana White officially announced Costa's inclusion on the card back on May 16, Costa quickly refuted the news, leaving his position on the card shrouded in doubt.

As per the UFC, Costa is still scheduled to face Aliskerov at UFC 291. Despite this, a rumor has been circulating that Costa has pulled out from the fight. Outlets are reporting that the news came from Aliskerov's camp and Costa will be replaced by Roman Dolidze, but nothing is officially confirmed and Dolidze denied the news.

New reports have emerged of Costa potentially facing Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 on October 21. Again, nothing is officially confirmed, but this hasn't stopped Costa from flirting with the idea of the fight on Twitter. Costa also Tweeted suggesting he'd signed a new contract.

I just signed ✅

— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) July 19, 2023

This would suggest that Costa either had a contract dispute with the UFC which prevented the Aliskerov fight from going forward, or he's signed to fight a new opponent. Costa and the UFC quarreled over a contract dispute back in February which cancelled his fight with Robert Whittaker, so it's not unlikely that the former is true.

If Costa is set to face a new opponent, Chimaev is a clear front-runner. Unfortunately, the Russian fighter rebuked Costa in a Tweet on July 18, remarking "[Paulo Costa] you are a bum now, I have a better opponent."

@buratinacostaso you are a bum now, I have a better opponent 🤣🤣🤣

— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) July 18, 2023

Costa is now 6-2 in the UFC with five cancellations. Contract disputes or not, the Brazilian fighter is almost a year detached from his last bout, and his fan sentiment continues to decline. Hopefully we can hear some good news soon.

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