Khamzat Chimaev is determined to leave no room for mercy when he faces Paulo Costa in their upcoming clash later this fall.
After a year of absence from the octagon, the undefeated UFC star, Chimaev (12-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC), is finally making his long-awaited return. The middleweight bout against Costa is scheduled for October 21 at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi. For Chimaev, it presents a prime opportunity to secure a decisive victory and capitalize on the moment for a significant paycheck. He aims to make the most of this opportunity and assert his dominance in the octagon.
“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.”