Paul Craig: Khamzat Chimaev should impose will on Paulo Costa at UFC 294, finish him under three rounds

Paul Craig think Khamzat Chimaev will be too much for Paulo Costa.

Chimaev (12-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) returns to middleweight to take on former title challenger Costa (14-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) at UFC 294 on Oct. 21 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Craig, who made his successful 185-pound debut when he scored a Round 2 TKO of Andre Muniz at UFC Fight Night 224, is high on Chimaev and expects his grappling to overwhelm Costa.

Chimaev’s most recent appearance at middleweight came in September 2020 when he needed just 17 seconds to knock out Gerald Meerschaert.

“I’ve always rated Chimaev,” Craig told Middle Easy. “He’s (got) that scary Russian grappling mode, you know, that those guys have got. So, I reckon he should be able to impose his will on Costa. But Costa’s this big, powerful 185er, so it’s going to be interesting to see. That’s why the UFC has made this.

“But if I was a betting man, then I would go for Chimaev to finish him, probably under three rounds. I don’t see that going the distance. I feel that Chimaev will just out-grapple him and wear him down, and as I say, it’ll be that dotted jiu-jitsu that will help him seal that victory. But as I say, Costa, especially on that secret juice, who knows how he’ll do against him.”

Craig (17-6-1 MMA, 9-6-1 UFC) expressed interest in fighting Chimaev after stopping Muniz. At light heavyweight, Craig has finished the likes of former UFC champion Jamahal Hill, former title challenger Magomed Ankalaev, and top contender Nikita Krylov.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 294.