Paulo Costa thought it was fairly intelligent of Khamzat Chimaev to problem newly minted UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira.
Following his fifth-round TKO of Israel Adesanya at UFC 281 earlier this month, Pereira was declared ‘straightforward cash’ by Chimaev, who wrote he would end the brand new champion in a single [round]. After seeing how Pereira struggled on the bottom with Adesanya, the undefeated upstart wasted no time attempting to get a combat on both UFC 282 or UFC 283. So far as former title contender ‘Borrahchina’ is anxious that was a sensible method by the Allstars Coaching Middle fighter.
Chatting with Submission Radio lately, Costa defined why he would favor Chimaev over Pereira ought to they share the Octagon.
“It’s humorous,” mentioned Costa. “Yeah, he needs to beat Alex in Rio De Janeiro. Yeah bro, he’s good, he’s good. I believe if he fought Alex, he can be a giant drawback to Alex, as a result of Alex has no grappling. , MMA is so completely different to kickboxing. However yeah, I believe odds is towards Alex if that combat occurs. However I don’t suppose they are going to be going, I don’t suppose that the combat will occur. I’d wish to combat to him. I ask him to combat him a few weeks in the past. He mentioned, ‘No, I’ll nonetheless [compete] in 170, I can’t go to 185’. However he noticed an enormous alternative to get the belt simply.”
With UFC president Dana White and co. engaged on a possible combat between Chimaev and Colby Covington, it’s unlikely that ’Borz’ will truly get the following shot at Pereira. That probability appears extra prone to go to Adesanya, who has set his sights on a rematch.
So far as their first combat is anxious, Costa thought Adesanya fared effectively towards Pereira till the fifth and last spherical. That mentioned, ‘Borrachinha’ has no thought of how the rematch would possibly go.
“[It] Was an excellent combat,” mentioned Costa. “I believe Adesanya was somewhat bit higher than Alex. However yeah, a few fingers completed the combat. Alex has numerous energy in his fingers — small gloves. I used to be joyful. I used to be very joyful for Alex.
“Adesanya has an issue to get hit,” continued Costa. “I believe he’s not so sturdy as the opposite guys. Alex is sturdy. However Adesanya’s not an excessive amount of. So, Adesanya did very effectively avoiding Alex for nearly 5 rounds, however he couldn’t keep away from him to the top. , hold the space till the top. So, he was caught. I don’t have a prediction for in the event that they rematch.”
