Khamzat Chimaev plans to show Paulo Costa no mercy when they meet later this fall.
Chimaev, the undefeated UFC star, finally is set to make his return to the octagon after a little more than a year. Chimaev (12-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) takes on Costa in a middleweight bout Oct. 21 at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi. He sees it as an easy opportunity to cash in a check.
“Smash, make money,” Chimaev told TNT Sports. “I make that guy cry, go home, be in Brazil. Nobody likes him. All Brazilians like me, support me. That guy is not Brazilian. I’m going to go, smash this guy and make him cry.”
The last time Chimaev was seen in action, he submitted Kevin Holland in quick manner in the co-main event of UFC 279 last September. Despite being a top contender, a big draw and healthy, Chimaev has taken over a year to return to the octagon.
When asked why it’s been so long, Chimaev didn’t have a clear reason.
“I don’t know,” Chimaev said. “I make everyone scared. Usman says he’s boogieman, (but) all these men think about me. When it comes to the fight, they have some surgeries, some problems. So I don’t know. I fight with everybody. Ask Dana White, I never said no. I’m ready always. Yeah, I’ve been out for a long time also, (but) I’ve been training all the time. When big money comes, it’s hard to make fight for me so.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 294.
