UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa is preparing for his upcoming bout at UFC 318. While his immediate focus remains on opponent Roman Kopylov, Costa has publicly outlined ambitious plans should he secure a victory: a high-profile clash at a potentially historic venue.
Recent discussions initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump and confirmed by UFC CEO Dana White have put the concept of a UFC event held at the White House on the calendar for Fourth of July weekend next year. This unique proposition has already attracted interest from prominent names in the sport, and Paulo Costa is now adding himself to that list, with a very specific opponent in mind.
Targeting a Long-Standing Rival
In a recent interview, Costa was direct about who he envisions facing in such an unprecedented setting: Khamzat Chimaev. This callout reignites a simmering rivalry that has developed over time, marked by a previously scheduled fight that failed to materialize.
Costa expressed a strong desire to finally meet Chimaev in the cage, citing a history of avoidance from Chimaev`s side since an initial confrontation at the UFC Performance Institute. He recounted that the UFC has reportedly attempted to book the matchup for approximately two years, with Chimaev allegedly declining the opportunity.
Adding a personal dimension to the callout, Costa referred to an incident where Chimaev reportedly sent messages to Costa`s girlfriend following Costa`s surgery, which Costa characterized as behavior lacking the expected conduct for a male fighter, suggesting a lack of emotional control.
Chimaev`s Path and Potential Roadblocks
Khamzat Chimaev is currently slated to face Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship at UFC 319 next month. Chimaev remains undefeated and is coming off significant victories over former champions Robert Whittaker and Kamaru Usman.
The proposed fight between Costa and Chimaev was previously scheduled for UFC 294 but was canceled when Costa withdrew due to injury. Chimaev subsequently stepped in to face Usman on short notice.
An interesting wrinkle in the potential future of the middleweight division, and specifically for Chimaev, is a rumor shared by fellow fighter Caio Borralho. According to this speculation, Chimaev might consider retiring from the sport if he captures the middleweight title at UFC 319. This possibility, while unconfirmed, adds a layer of uncertainty to any long-term matchmaking involving Chimaev, including Costa`s desired White House clash.
What Lies Ahead
For Paulo Costa, the path to a potential White House showdown with Khamzat Chimaev first requires a victory at UFC 318. His recent record includes a loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 302 and a prior win against Luke Rockhold at UFC 278.
Should Costa emerge victorious this weekend, and should Chimaev`s future plans align (or not align) with the retirement rumor, a clash between the two rivals remains a compelling and highly anticipated matchup in the middleweight division. The unique backdrop of a White House event would only amplify the significance of such a confrontation, offering a truly distinct stage for their unresolved history to potentially reach a conclusion.
Gareth Pendleton