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If Khamzat wins the belt Paulo Costa is the most likely contender



Dude is not gonna stop promoting it.

Hopefully Caio or Imavov become undeniable but if they don't I want this fight just to be proven right.
 


Dude is not gonna stop promoting it.

Hopefully Caio or Imavov become undeniable but if they don't I want this fight just to be proven right.


He's probably going to try and start some shenanigans during DDP/Chimaev fight week. Start something backstage or run up to the cage after the fight or some shit
 
At this moment in time Paulo should be the favorite if there is a market for it. Not that he will be the most likely contender when the title and the others contenders fight conclude for sure ... but today?? Seems like he is.

There is RDR, Borralho, Imavov and Strickland who could fight for the title and I think they are getting skipped by Costa if they don't get a finish and even with a finish you never know. Some of these will be exlcluded while Costa is gonna remain an option...

They are 100% gonna make the fight if Khamzat loses but if he wins and calls him out I also think they are gonna make the fight in most scenarios.
It is gonna be really similar to Bisping Hendo except there isn't a 1st fight. Just a guy getting an underserved title shot because it works as a business decision.

Also If it isn't Costa in pole position it is Strickland, just because all the others not only have to win but perform to get the shot. And then Khamzat is just gonna call out Strickland or Costa and get one of them.

I'm not advocating for this, for me Borralho vs Imavov winner deserves it unless it is a horrible stinkfest. Even if the fight kinda sucks winner should get it...
I'm just predicting that Costa is the favorite in case Chimaev wins....

If you are Khamzat you obviously want to call out Costa. Costa just called you out a PPV a month earlier, Costa has fights where he sucks...
Costa says he is getting paid a ton, so the UFC obviously rates him. I don't think it will just be based on the beef or Paulo social media following but most important Khamzat is the biggest star in the division and UFC would be well served to give him an easier fight. But I think what will make it for them is the potential of it being some gold in the promotion and create the type of lines that fans repeat, remember and elevate fighter's profile.

Things are aligning for Costa, lets face it.


And what's crazy is that the fight can get booked, Khamzat can pull out and Costa can end up fighting for the interim or undisputed in one of the most bizarre title fights ever. Not predicting it but this is a thing that CAN happen. Also someone can get the shot, get injured and then Costa fills in....

DDP might just be the only hope to stop this timeline from happening...



There is already material for the promos...

You mean there won't be an immediate rematch with DDP if Khamzat wins?
<mma4>
 
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You mean there won't be an immediate rematch with DDP if Khamzat wins?
I should have included that possibility but I think it is really low, lower than RDR getting it.

Even if the fight would merit a rematch it doesn't mean the UFC is gonna give to him. DDP has no pull, dude has 800k instagram followers as a champion.

I know the thread seems kinda insane but I'm being 100% real. For me challenger is more likely to be either Sean or Paulo than all the other names combined. Maybe I'm being too biased towards Paulo but I feel he is gonna make this happen if Khamzat does his part.


Who do you think Khamzat is gonna call out after he wins?
 
2-4
Biggest recent win is a decision vs a guy outside the top 10
Imamov just starched top 5 former champ Izzy







... but someone sent a message to someone else on Twitter.

Funny that the last one trumps every other criteria and it legit wouldn't surprise me that THAT criteria COULD earn him a title shot. Fucking circus.
 
No man, altought I would love all the shit before the fight, but no, Costa does not deserve a TS!

The winner of Kamzat/DDP should fight the winner of Borallo/Imanov and the loser can fight Coshta!
 
What's going on with fighters using their girlfriends discussing online with the main-eventers to start beef?
First, Michel Pereira and Masvidal, and now, Costa and Chimaev
That's really weak
 
2-4
Biggest recent win is a decision vs a guy outside the top 10
Imamov just starched top 5 former champ Izzy







... but someone sent a message to someone else on Twitter.

Funny that the last one trumps every other criteria and it legit wouldn't surprise me that THAT criteria COULD earn him a title shot. Fucking circus.
Dustin got his last title shot with a record almost similar to that. If everyone else gets booked and are fighting each other, timelines might match for them.
 
Who ??? Ooo the secret juice guy who never fights or always loses but runs his mouth lot gotcha
 
Costa vs MVP/Cannonier winner if Khamzat becomes champ. If both win after that I could see it
 
At this moment in time Paulo should be the favorite if there is a market for it. Not that he will be the most likely contender when the title and the others contenders fight conclude for sure ... but today?? Seems like he is.

There is RDR, Borralho, Imavov and Strickland who could fight for the title and I think they are getting skipped by Costa if they don't get a finish and even with a finish you never know. Some of these will be exlcluded while Costa is gonna remain an option...

They are 100% gonna make the fight if Khamzat loses but if he wins and calls him out I also think they are gonna make the fight in most scenarios.
It is gonna be really similar to Bisping Hendo except there isn't a 1st fight. Just a guy getting an underserved title shot because it works as a business decision.

Also If it isn't Costa in pole position it is Strickland, just because all the others not only have to win but perform to get the shot. And then Khamzat is just gonna call out Strickland or Costa and get one of them.

I'm not advocating for this, for me Borralho vs Imavov winner deserves it unless it is a horrible stinkfest. Even if the fight kinda sucks winner should get it...
I'm just predicting that Costa is the favorite in case Chimaev wins....

If you are Khamzat you obviously want to call out Costa. Costa just called you out a PPV a month earlier, Costa has fights where he sucks...
Costa says he is getting paid a ton, so the UFC obviously rates him. I don't think it will just be based on the beef or Paulo social media following but most important Khamzat is the biggest star in the division and UFC would be well served to give him an easier fight. But I think what will make it for them is the potential of it being some gold in the promotion and create the type of lines that fans repeat, remember and elevate fighter's profile.

Things are aligning for Costa, lets face it.


And what's crazy is that the fight can get booked, Khamzat can pull out and Costa can end up fighting for the interim or undisputed in one of the most bizarre title fights ever. Not predicting it but this is a thing that CAN happen. Also someone can get the shot, get injured and then Costa fills in....

DDP might just be the only hope to stop this timeline from happening...



There is already material for the promos...

Paulo Costa has a grand total of one win over fighters currently in the UFC.

He is 2-4 in his last 6 and hasn't finished a fight in 7 years.
 
Costa has 2 wins in 5 years and he's 2-4 since 2019. You think he gets a title shot with that record?? That might be the single worst title shot ever granted by the UFC if it happens.

There's no way Costa leapfrogs the Borralho vs Imavov winner.

OPs do not think they just post. A guy hasn’t won a fight in 5 years but wins his next one, no research no critical thought just he finally win and looked fine TITTY SHOT!!
 
I think people are forgetting the UFC is NOT a meritocracy…

You watch, Costa gonna end up fighting Chimaev hahaha.

It’ll probs be as egregious as Rountree fighting Pereira or more so!

That being said, I thought Costa looked a bit more like his old self over the weekend.

I hope he can somehow put it all together and get himself back in the title picture. I’m not gonna hold my breath, however, as Middleweight got some killers to get through…

Plus, these two, sharing an octagon? Can they both make the fight? Dubious haha.
 
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