ABU DHABI – Khamzat Chimaev wasn’t having Dana White’s defense of Paulo Costa’s UFC 294 withdrawal.
Chimaev (12-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) was originally scheduled to face Costa in Saturday’s UFC 294 co-main event at Etihad Arena, but Costa was forced out due to staph infection in his elbow. Stepping in on short notice will be former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman (20-3 MMA, 15-2 UFC).
Chimaev and Costa’s rivalry has been brewing for months, but they won’t get to settle their score just yet. Chimaev ripped Costa (14-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) for pulling out of the fight.
“The guy went home, man,” Chimaev said during Thursday’s press conference. “Sh*t himself. Get this guy here, I’ll f*ck him up.”
UFC CEO White chuckled at Chimaev’s accusation, and backed Costa after he suffered a nasty infection which left a massive hole in his elbow.
“I know this isn’t a popular answer for him right now, but listen, Paulo Costa can be a pain in the ass no doubt about it, but he’s seriously injured,” White said.
“Be honest, brother: He sh*t himself,” Chimaev interrupted. “That’s why. … They’re hiding him in hotels from me.”
Costa required two surgeries to heal from his staph infection, and White assures that there was no way Costa could fight after he wasn’t medically cleared by doctors.
“He’s seriously injured and needs to get his elbow taken care of,” White said. “He has a staph infection. It’s legit. Listen, if it wasn’t legit, I’d be the first one to say it. Absolutely legit. That guy is seriously injured and needed to do what he needed to do.”
Costa provided a positive update Thursday on Instagram, suggesting that he’s healing at a fast rate.
“Doctors are concerned what kind of human I am. Just told them I’m a secret prototype 🧬🧃 I had with doctors today n it’s healing faster than normal 🙏🏼 one more week to get it fully healed and complete wound closure. Thanks Lord!”
You can watch their full exchange in the video above.
UFC 294 takes place Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The main card airs on pay-per-view at a special time of 2 p.m. ET following prelims on ESPN+.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 294.
