Paulo Costa vs. Khamzat Chimaev is doubtful at UFC 294, UFC CEO Dana White introduced Tuesday.
Requested if the co-headliner battle could be canceled given Costa revealed he would bear elbow surgical procedure three weeks in the past, Whyte replied, “Sure, that is a risk,” and followers have been left questioning if the ultimate… He added that the decision could be recognized “quickly.”
Costa mentioned on Monday that he would “positively” face Chimaev, who will make his middleweight debut, on the Oct. 21 pay-per-view occasion on the Etihad Enviornment in Abu Dhabi. The Brazilian, who as soon as challenged for the middleweight title, mentioned the harm began out as a staph an infection however worsened and was recognized with a “bursitis an infection” that required fast surgical procedure.
Costa, who flew to Abu Dhabi 4 weeks in the past, mentioned he had mentioned his restoration timeline along with his docs and staff and determined he was protected to play.
In keeping with White, he might not have that likelihood. “Hopefully, we’ll have a solution inside a few hours,” he mentioned, including that promotion officers have been then speaking to “a number of” candidates to interchange him.
Costa hasn’t fought since August 2022, when he gained a unanimous choice over Luke Rockhold at UFC 278. Costa was then rumored to battle former champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 284 and Ikram Ariskerov at UFC 291, however he denied agreeing to the bouts. He appeared within the match and was subsequently faraway from the cardboard. The latter bout resulted in a disagreement between him and Chimaev, which finally led to an look at UFC 294.
At present, Costa’s participation is as soon as once more doubtful.
