Paulo Costa has quickly unveiled his immediate plans for the future after winning an important victory over UFC 318.
While all eyes were focused on Dustin Poirier's pension fight against Max Holloway in Saturday's pay-per-view Main Event, one of the biggest storylines on the Undercard was a crucial outing for Costa.
The former Challenger in the middleweight title has fallen at difficult times in recent years. After Costa was tipped for Stardom by Dana White in 2018 when he rose through the ranks as an undefeated powerhouse, he won only two fights for the next seven years.
He bounced back in a large way at UFC 318, with Costa that Roman Kopylov dropped on his way to victory through a decision in the Co-Main event in the Smoothie King Center of New Orleans.
Although his opponent was not and he will probably stay outside the top 10 at 185 pounds, Costa still sets his sights high for his next fight.
Paulo Costa will be in Chicago for Khamzat Chimaev's UFC 319 Title Challenge
During his press conference after the fight on UFC 318, Costa thinks about his successful achievements in what was probably a must-win scenario on July 19, after consecutive setbacks against Sean Strickland and Robert Whittaker.
After having usually kept his full attention on the dangerous Kopylov in recent months, Costa revived his feud with Khamzat Chimaev during the UFC 318 Fight Week and his interview in the cage with Daniel Cormier.
Chimaev will challenge Dricus Du Plessis on UFC 319 in August, and Costa is planning to fight 'Borz' by stimulating in the first row in the United Center of Chicago.
“I was locked up, 100 percent focused on this fight,” said Costa, before I started looking ahead.
“Yes, I intend to do that (attending UFC 319 in Chicago). I intend to do that. If the UFC allows me, I will be in Chicago in a few weeks,” he added.
Khamzat Chimaev continued his Word War with Paulo Costa Na UFC 318
It is safe to say that the hostility that Costa has for Chimaev is not one -sided.
Chimaev responded to Costa's Octagon Callout in New Orleans with a message about X, which was referred to the claim that he sent the Brazilian's girlfriend on social media.
“It was she who wrote me Habibi (Laughing Emojis),” wrote Chimaev.
Costa did not surprisingly not gave much time to the Chanishjense's remark and simply called it a lie after it was mentioned by a reporter in his press.