Paulo Costa believes a rematch between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland would end even worse for the former UFC middleweight champion.
Chimaev (15-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) lost the middleweight title to Strickland (31-7 MMA, 18-7 UFC) in the main event of UFC 328 earlier this month at Prudential Center in Newark. Following the defeat, Chimaev attributed part of the loss to a difficult weight cut and later suggested to UFC CEO Dana White that he may be finished competing at 185 pounds.
Former UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw added fuel to the discussion this week, telling MMA Fighting that Chimaev’s weight cut was so severe that “he should not have made it to the fight.”
Despite the setback, Chimaev has repeatedly expressed interest in an immediate rematch with Strickland, using social media to campaign for another shot at the title. Costa, however, does not believe the outcome would be any different.
Speaking to Submission Radio, the Brazilian contender said he expects Strickland to perform even better if the two meet again.
“I think it's going to be even worse for Chimaev,” Costa said. “I think Strickland is going to beat him easier. Easier than he did (last time), because he knows already what he should do. And Strickland, I think he can be well prepared for the situation.
“First of all, I think all these people saying he was sick, he was bad…this is always a bullshit. I think this is not (true). They try to discredit Strickland. So, I don't buy this, and I don't see anything new that Chimaev can bring for Strickland.”
Costa dismissed the notion that Chimaev’s performance should be excused because of illness or complications from his weight cut, arguing that such explanations take credit away from Strickland’s victory.
According to Costa, Strickland now holds a significant advantage heading into any potential rematch because he has already proven he can neutralize Chimaev’s strengths over five rounds. The former title challenger also questioned what adjustments Chimaev could realistically make to change the outcome in a second meeting.
While no rematch has been officially announced, Chimaev’s public push for another fight with Strickland has kept the possibility in the spotlight. Costa, however, remains unconvinced that running it back would produce a different result, predicting that the reigning champion would secure an even more decisive victory the second time around.
