MMA is no stranger to heated rivalries, and the one between Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev has reached a boiling point after UFC 318. Fans watching the event in New Orleans were treated to a vintage Costa who not only won a unanimous decision over Roman Kopylov but also re-ignited his callout of Chimaev. But what exactly triggered this post-fight outburst? Why is Paulo Costa so keen to settle the score with Khamzat Chimaev? In this deep dive, we explore the roots of their UFC rivalry, the events leading up to UFC 318, and what this means for the middleweight division.
The Backstory of the Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev Rivalry
The bad blood between Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev didn’t start at UFC 318. This has been brewing for years, rooted in personal and professional beefs that have kept fans on the edge of their seats. Here’s how it all began:
- UFC Performance Institute Altercation (2022): The rivalry started in September 2022 at the UFC Performance Institute. At the time, Chimaev was still competing at welterweight, but a heated exchange with Costa almost turned physical, and staff had to intervene. This was the start of a grudge that would only get worse.
- Missed Opportunity at UFC 294: The two were supposed to fight at UFC 294 in October 2023, but Costa was forced to pull out due to a severe elbow infection, and Chimaev ended up fighting Kamaru Usman instead. Costa was furious and wanted to get his revenge.
- Personal Tensions Escalate: Costa has repeatedly accused Chimaev of crossing personal boundaries, specifically claiming Chimaev sent inappropriate messages to his girlfriend, Tamara Alves, via Instagram. Costa claims these messages included derogatory comments about hi,m and this has made this rivalry very personal.
This history of near-fights, cancelled fights, and personal slights has created the perfect storm, and their potential fight is one of the biggest in the middleweight division.
Paulo Costa’s Resurgent Performance at UFC 318
UFC 318, July 19, 2025, Smoothie King Center, New Orleans. Paulo Costa had a lot to prove after back-to-back losses to former champions Sean Strickland and Robert Whittaker. His co-main event fight against Roman Kopylov was make or break, and he delivered big time.
- Winning Performance: Costa showed his striking skills, using a mix of powerful leg kicks and precise punching combinations to control Kopylov. He dropped him in the first round and kept the pressure on, winning all three rounds 30-27, 30-27, 29-28.
- Back to Form: After a year off and 1-4 in his last 5 fights, this was Costa’s first win since 2022 and only his second in nearly 6 years. He looked like the “Borrachinha” who started his career 13-0.
- Post-Fight Trash Talk: Immediately after the win, Costa grabbed the mic and went off on Khamzat Chimaev, calling him a “coward” and saying he will chase him down until they fight. He also accused Chimaev of messaging his girlfriend. This had the MMA world talking.
Costa’s performance not only moved him up the middleweight rankings but also set up a potential fight with Chimaev if the stars align.
Why Did Paulo Costa Called Out Khamzat Chimaev?
The callout at UFC 318 was not a spur-of-the-moment thing. Costa’s reasons for calling out Chimaev are multiple, professional and personal. Here’s the breakdown:
1. Personal Animosity Over Alleged DMs
Costa has been saying for a while that Chimaev crossed a line by sending nasty and dirty messages to his girlfriend, Tamara Alves. According to Costa, these messages were about his manhood and that Alves deserved a better man. Costa shared a screenshot of one of the messages where Chimaev allegedly wrote “How you can be together with this s—t, he likes black boys” with a picture of Israel Adesanya dominating Costa in their 2020 title fight. Chimaev responded on X that it was Alves who initiated the contact, which Costa vehemently denied, calling Chimaev a liar. This personal slight has Costa wanting to get in Chimaev’s face in the Octagon.
2. Unfinished Business from UFC 294
He’s still bitter about the UFC 294 cancellation. He thinks Chimaev is avoiding him, citing past times the UFC tried to book the fight and Chimaev said no. Costa was blunt when he said, “He always says no, he wants to fight anybody at 185, but he doesn’t want to fight you.” A win at UFC 318 was his way of proving he’s ready to finally settle this beef.
3. Climbing the Middleweight Ranks
Ranked #11 in the middleweight division, a high-profile fight against Chimaev, who is going to challenge Dricus du Plessis for the title at UFC 319, could put him back in title contention. A win over Chimaev, especially if Chimaev wins the belt, would put Costa as a top contender and erase the memory of his recent losses.
4. Fan Demand and Hype
The MMA fanbase has been asking for this fight since 2023. Social media platforms like X have been blowing up with discussions about the beef, with fans debating if Costa’s claims are true or just fight hype. The drama and the contrasting styles—Costa’s aggressive striking vs Chimaev’s grappling—will make for an explosive fight that could sell out the arena.
What’s Next for Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev?
With UFC 318 in the books, all eyes are on the middleweight division and the potential for a Costa-Chimaev showdown. But several factors will determine if this fight happens:
- UFC 319: Chimaev is fighting middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 on August 16, 2025, in Chicago. Costa said he’ll be cageside and will call out Chimaev regardless of the result. If Chimaev wins, Costa might need more wins to get a title shot since he’s not top 5. If Chimaev loses, the UFC might fast-track the grudge match as a high-stakes contender fight.
- Costa’s Next Move: Costa’s win over Kopylov probably moved him up in the rankings but he’s still behind top contenders like Brendan Allen and Jared Cannonier. A fight against one of those guys might be next and set up a Chimaev fight in 2026, possibly at the UFC’s rumored White House event.
- Chimaev’s Response: Chimaev denied Costa’s allegations and fired back with his own claims, but hasn’t addressed the callout post UFC 318. He’s focused on the title fight, but the back and forth suggests he’s not backing down.
The Middleweight Division Heats Up
The middleweight division is stacked right now with fighters like Dricus du Plessis, Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker, and Sean Strickland all vying for the top spot. Paulo Costa’s resurgence at UFC 318 and his pursuit of Khamzat Chimaev add another layer to the division. Costa’s aggressive style and Chimaev’s undefeated record and grappling skills could make for a fight that decides the division.
Don't call it a comeback 💪@BorrachinhaMMA earns the UD in the co-main event!
— UFC (@ufc) July 20, 2025
[ #UFC318 | LIVE NOW on @ESPNPlus PPV ] pic.twitter.com/d0ZZmaDQ9g
Fans are also keeping an eye on other developments like Israel Adesanya’s interest in a rematch with Costa and Jon Jones’ praise for Costa’s kicking at UFC 318. The drama between Costa and Chimaev ensures the middleweight division is hot.
Conclusion: A Rivalry That Demands Resolution
Paulo Costa’s callout of Khamzat Chimaev after UFC 318 was more than just post-fight trash talk – it was a declaration of intent born from years of bad blood, personal slights, and missed fights. Costa’s win over Roman Kopylov showed he’s still a force in the middleweight division, and his words have reignited one of the UFC’s best rivalries. As Costa plans to face Chimaev cageside at UFC 319, we’re left wondering: will this grudge match finally happen, and who will win?
Stay tuned for more MMA news on this UFC rivalry. Do you think Paulo Costa can beat Khamzat Chimaev or will “Borz” be too much for “Borrachinha”? Comment below and follow us for more UFC 318 highlights and middleweight division updates!