Midnight Mania: Potential Costa Vs. Khamzat Booking Causes Chaos!

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The Middleweight division is currently in a state of chaos and uncertainty, centered around a pair of major players. The wildness begins with Paulo Costa, the Brazilian banger who was scheduled to face Ikram Aliskerov next weekend at UFC 291.

Well, sort of. Costa himself said the match up was announced but assigned, and we’ve never seen direct confirmation from “Borrachinha” that the fight was happening. Similar to the canned Robert Whittaker booking last year, it would seem Costa is holding true to his word and remaining on the sidelines for this one as well.

Maybe Aliskerov will fight Roman Dolidze instead?

Regardless, Costa has been online hinting that he’s been pulled from that match up because he has bigger fish to fry. Specifically, he’s hinted at undefeated star Khamzat Chimaev as his next opponent. Earlier today, a first report from MMA Melotto targets Costa vs. Chimaev for UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi this coming October. Communicating in his usual mix of questionable English, one word answers, and emojis, Costa seemingly confirmed as much.

Costa has been calling to fight Khamzat for the better part of a year now, ever since the two had an explosive interaction at the UFC Performance Institute. Chimaev’s future remains uncertain, as he’s flirted with both returning to Welterweight and jumping up to Middleweight. Since he’s desperate for a fight, Chimaev would surely jump at the willing “Borrachinha” in Abu Dhabi, right?

Maybe not. Chimaev tweeted at a misspelled Costa earlier, “You are a bum now, I have a better opponent.”

Our best guess is Jared Cannonier, the top-ranked Middleweight contender who’s fresh off a brutal victory over Marvin Vettori. Recent insider info seems to reveal “The Killa Gorilla” as Chimaev’s next opponent, but there remains no official announcement.

If Cannonier vs. Khamzat is the booking … who is Paulo Costa going to fight?!?

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Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.