Paulo Costa warns Khamzat Chimaev light heavyweight move ‘tragic'

Paulo Costa has a message for Khamzat Chimaev: stay at middleweight.

Costa, who stopped previously unbeaten Azamat Murzakanov at light heavyweight in the third round at UFC 327, said he would welcome Chimaev to 205 pounds but warned the result would be grim. “I’m gonna be here with my arms open, waiting for him,” Costa told Submission Radio, per MMA Fighting. “At 205, I’m a monster, you know? I don’t need to burn any muscle. That’s gonna be tragic for him. Tragic.”

What Costa’s move to light heavyweight means for Chimaev showdown

Chimaev captured the middleweight belt from Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 and defends it against Sean Strickland on May 9 at UFC 328 in Newark. According to Sherdog, Chimaev has signaled interest in moving up to light heavyweight soon. Costa believes the matchup becomes even more lopsided at the heavier weight because he no longer sacrifices muscle to make 185 pounds. “On 205, I have full secret juice power,” he said.

Costa described his rivalry with Chimaev as a modern version of Wanderlei Silva versus Rampage Jackson at light heavyweight. The two have traded barbs for years but never fought. Costa said light heavyweight is “a good place to stay” and his body will be “even more adapted” in the division, though he remains open to dropping back to middleweight. He also volunteered to replace Derrick Lewis against Josh Hokit at the UFC White House event on June 14 if needed.

Chimaev remains Costa’s top target regardless of weight class. The Brazilian finished back-to-back Russian prospects after stopping Murzakanov and now wants the champion next.

Original reporting:

• mmafighting.com — Paulo Costa: Fighting me at 205 would be ‘tragic’ for Khamzat Chimaev | MMA Fighting
• sherdog.com — Paulo Costa warns Khamzat Chimaev about moving to light heavyweight