Within the midst of a surprising 12-fight undefeated skilled run, unbeaten welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev has been backed to stay excellent in his anticipated struggle with one-time middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa forward of their earmarked UFC 294 conflict in October on ‘Struggle Island’.
But to e-book an Octagon return since co-headlining UFC 279 again in September of final 12 months, Chechen-born contender, Khamzat Chimaev has been extensively tipped to struggle Belo Horizonte native, Costa at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, UAE within the third week of October, in a possible title-eliminator on the middleweight restrict.
Touchdown on the similar venue again in 2020, Chimaev has loved a dizzying roughshod run by way of contenders on the welterweight restrict, propelling himself to the #3 rank within the division as well.
Going hammer and tongs with the promotion since returning to the winner’s enclosure at UFC 278 again in August of final 12 months, Costa is predicted to place pen to paper on a brand new, multi-fight cope with the Dana White-led promotion within the comings weeks – in a deal which has been touted as making him the best-paid Brazilian below contract within the UFC.
Khamzat Chimaev Octagon Return
Nevertheless, by way of an Octagon return in opposition to Khamzat Chimaev earlier than the shut of the 12 months on the Etihad Area, Costa has opened as a sizeable betting underdog (+290) to defeat Chimaev (-340) of their earmarked middleweight matchup. Full record on-line casinos utilizing GCash supply limitless markets on sports activities together with fight, forward of what guarantees to be a blockbuster 12 months within the skilled realm.
Sidelined since UFC 279 final September, Khamzat Chimaev most just lately prolonged his promotional-perfect run to 6 fights, submitting Kevin Holland with a primary spherical D’Arce choke submission on the T-Cell Area in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Retaining his top-3 rank on the welterweight restrict regardless of a troublesome minimize to the division up to now, the AllStars MMA staple had turned in a unanimous determination victory over current winner and incoming UFC 288 co-headliner, Gilbert Burns again in April of final 12 months.
As for Costa, the one-time title challenger managed to snap a two-fight skid in opposition to each Israel Adesanya and Marvin Vettori again in August of final 12 months in opposition to the above-mentioned former champion, Rockhold – securing a unanimous judging victory.
Costa was anticipated to struggle former champion, Robert Whittaker at UFC 284 again in February of this 12 months in Perth, Australia – the Brazilian denied ever placing pen to paper on a deal to struggle the previous gold holder, resulting in a public spat with the group.
With no foremost occasion slot for UFC 294 on the time of publication, undisputed light-weight kingpin, Islam Makhachev has been earmarked to return to the Octagon doubtlessly in October – after incomes a interval of relaxation from the UFC, in keeping with stories, might doubtlessly take foremost occasion honors.
The Dagestan native just lately headlined UFC 284 again in February, defending his light-weight title in opposition to Alexander Volkanovski, and has been linked to a title rematch in opposition to former gold holder, Charles Oliveira subsequent, in addition to a recent pairing with Iranian contener, Beneil Dariush earlier than the tip of this 12 months.