Paulo Costa's manager talks up chances of 'GIGANTIC' Chimaev fight
‘The potential of a fight against Khamzat Chimaev is GIGANTIC’: Paulo Costa’s manager talks up chances of clash with undefeated star being Brazilian’s first contest in bumper new £3.2m UFC deal
- Paulo Costa recently signed a huge new deal to extend stay with the UFC
- Brazilian is in line for some big fights, with Khamzat Chimaev one possibility
- Robert Whittaker is another man who could be next up for ‘Borrachina’
Paulo Costa is in line to fight either Khamzat Chimaev or Robert Whittaker after signing a huge new deal with the UFC.
The Brazilian put pen to paper on a contract worth £3.2million having previously spoken about his desire to leave and test the waters as a free agent.
Now his future lies with the organisation, the powerful middleweight is plotting his next move and his manager, who is also his fiancee, spoke about what’s next.
Tamara Alves told Ag Fight: ‘The UFC is interested in both fights (Chimaev and Whittaker), but they really do see that the potential of a fight against Chimaev is gigantic.
‘It’s Abu Dhabi, there’s that Asian market. They know Chimaev and Paulo have a true rivalry and that would help selling the fight.
Paulo Costa is in line for some huge fights having signed a new deal with the UFC
Costa made a reported $180,000 for his Fight of the Night clash with Luke Rockhold in August
‘So who Paulo is going to fight depends on what the promotion wants to do with the product, with Paulo and the other athletes, too.’
In the same interview, Costa himself added: ‘We have two options. To wait and do this fight in October (against Chimaev), or do one more before that.
‘Right now we are working with the UFC, because it interests both parties.
‘Once the money problem, which was the obstacle, was solved, we’re fully interested in working together with them to make the biggest promoting possible, get the best engagement and make best fight. The one that makes most sense.
‘That fight in Abu Dhabi would be huge. We’re going to know the other details in the coming days.
‘But we’re working with the UFC to understand and choose the best fight.
‘I think Whittaker would also be a great fight, in case something were to happen with Chimaev.
‘I still think the fight in the Middle East makes much more sense if it’s against Chimaev, but any of them—Chimaev or Whittaker—would be a great fight.’
Khamzat Chimaev is one option for Costa and would be a huge test for the Brazilian
Robert Whittaker is another name in the frame to face Costa in his next encounter
Costa beat Luke Rockhold by unanimous decision in his last fight having suffered defeats by Israel Adesanya and Marvin Vettori.
The Brazilian is popular with fans but would open as the underdog against both Whittaker and Chimaev.
That said, both would be hugely entertaining affairs and the winner would be in line for a title shot.
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