Paulo Costa places ultimate vote of confidence in Strickland to beat Chimaev once more

Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLCPaulo Costa not backing Khamzat Chimaev to win a rematch with Sean StricklandPaulo Costa doesn’t see Khamzat Chimaev getting revenge any time soon.

>Chimaev’s undefeated record is gone after UFC 328 earlier this month, where he lost the main event at the Prudential Center in Newark.

>The loss came against Sean Strickland, who took the middleweight belt off Chimaev and became a two-division champion in the process.

>There’s talk of a rematch for Strickland’s first title defence, but Costa doesn’t think the result would change if they ran it back.

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesPaulo Costa says rematch with Sean Strickland would go ‘even worse’ for Khamzat ChimaevChimaev’s team has pointed to a tough weight cut as the reason for his loss in New Jersey. Despite that, and Nassourdine Imavov making a strong case for a title shot, Chimaev hasn’t stopped calling for a rematch with Strickland.

>Costa, who’s had issues with Chimaev in the past, was asked about it during an appearance on Submission Radio and didn’t hold back on his thoughts.

>“I think it’s gonna be even worse for Chimaev,” Costa said. “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. They’re trying to discredit Strickland,” he added.

>The Brazilian went on to dismiss the idea that injuries or illnesses played a role in how their first fight played out.

Khamzat Chimaev’s call for a rematch with Sean Strickland has received a response from UFC boss Dana WhiteSean Strickland’s future plans haven’t been confirmed yet, but Dana White has already spoken out about Chimaev’s push for a second meeting.

>During an appearance on The Bret Boone Podcast, the UFC president appeared to cast doubt on Chimaev getting another title shot right away.

>White said: “Khamzat, right now, is asking for the rematch with Strickland. 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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