Brazilian middleweight contender Paulo Costa has set his sights on a high-profile matchup in opposition to former champion Dricus du Plessis earlier than the tip of 2025, describing the South African as an “unpredictable” and difficult opponent following his current loss to Khamzat Chimaev.
Paulo Costa Wants Dricus Du Plessis
The 34-year-old Paulo Costa, presently ranked thirteenth within the UFC middleweight division, lately returned to profitable methods with a unanimous determination victory over Roman Kopylov at UFC 318 in July. This marked his first victory in almost three years, snapping a troublesome interval that noticed him go 1-4 throughout his earlier 5 fights.
Speaking with Submission Radio, Paulo Costa outlined his choice for dealing with du Plessis over potential rematches with former opponents like Israel Adesanya or Sean Strickland. “Dricus is healthier as a result of he’s recent from the belt,” Costa said. The Brazilian defined his reasoning: “He’s so unpredictable. He’s a tricky man to battle, to be trustworthy. Khamzat Chimaev knew that – that’s why he maintain him for thus lengthy. Even within the fifth spherical, Dricus was nonetheless harmful, and Chimaev was afraid to battle him.”
Costa was extremely essential of Chimaev’s wrestling-heavy method in his UFC 319 title victory over du Plessis, the place the brand new champion managed the battle on the bottom for over 21 minutes of the 25-minute contest. “He simply held the man for 25 minutes. Horrible,” Costa stated of Chimaev’s efficiency.
“Fight is always fight, you know, but yeah, we can fight stand up or maybe on the ground. I don’t know. I didn’t think about that yet. I didn’t stop to plan anything to make strategy. I didn’t talk to anybody about that yet. I’m just waiting. When they say, ‘Is that guy?’ I will say, ‘Okay, let’s go.’ And then I’m going to figure it out. I’m going to sit down with my coach and people and plan my next move.”
The timing appears favorable for Costa, who indicated he wants to compete once more in 2025. “I will fight this year. I still have one more fight in 2025, before Christmas,” he told Submission Radio. Costa suggested November or early December as potential timeframes for the bout, pending discussions with UFC matchmakers.
Costa expressed confidence that his improved relationship with UFC administration would facilitate significant battle alternatives. “I ended combating in opposition to the UFC. Now we’re mates. Now we’re companions,” he defined. “I advised this to Hunter [Campbell] and Dana [White]: ‘Hey guys, now we’re companions. Let’s play collectively.’ So I’m relaxed. I’m chill, proper? I’ll allow them to work on that, they usually’re going to convey a very good, enjoyable match.’
Du Plessis, who held the middleweight title for over a yr earlier than shedding to Chimaev, presently sits on the high of the division rankings regardless of his current defeat. The previous champion has indicated his intention to work his method again to a different title shot.
The Brazilian’s renewed focus comes after a tumultuous interval that included disputes with UFC administration and a prolonged layoff from competitors. His willingness to face du Plessis, quite than in search of simpler opponents, indicators his dedication to combating elite-level competitors as he makes an attempt to climb again into title rivalry.
While no official announcement has been made regarding the potential Costa-du Plessis bout, each fighters seem motivated to return to motion earlier than year-end, organising what may very well be one of many extra compelling middleweight matchups of late 2025.
