Paulo Costa set for a showdown with the rising star nicknamed “The Hulk” as he returns to the UFC Octagon at UFC 326
Former title challenger Paulo Costa is slated to lock horns with a burgeoning challenger when he makes his Octagon comeback at UFC 326 next year.
The UFC’s middleweight division sits in a curious place, with Khamzat Chimaev currently perched atop the rankings. After defeating Dricus du Plessis to claim the middleweight title at UFC 319, Chimaev has hinted at a possible move up to light heavyweight after at least one title defense. Nassourdine Imavov is widely regarded as the top challenger in the division, but Chimaev has repeatedly resisted matching up with Imavov because of their past history.
Chimaev’s ongoing hiatus from competition has opened the door for other contenders to rise, including Anthony Hernandez, who is set to face Sean Strickland at UFC Houston next year. Following a victory at UFC 318, Costa publicly called out Chimaev, fueling months of tension between the two middleweights.
If Costa aims to inch closer to a potential showdown with Chimaev, he’ll first need to clear a tough test, as reported earlier this week.
Costa vs. Brunno Ferreira booked for UFC 326
Brazilian MMA journalist Leo Guimarães initially disclosed that Costa is scheduled to return on March 7 at UFC 326 in Las Vegas, where he’ll meet a surging middleweight in Brunno Ferreira.
Ferreira (15-2-0) makes his return to the Octagon after a three-fight winning streak, which recently included a unanimous decision over Marvin Vettori. The talented Brazilian previously missed weight at UFC 323, marking the first time in his career.
Ferreira has moved past his prior defeat to Abus Magomedov in October, the first loss of his pro career. He followed up with armbars to submit Jackson McVey and Armen Petrosyan in successive bouts.
Costa, for his part, has dropped two of his last three UFC appearances but rebounded with a win over Roman Kopylov at UFC 318. He had suffered back-to-back setbacks against former champions Sean Strickland and Robert Whittaker prior to the Kopylov contest.
Costa is intent on recapturing the form that established him as one of the world’s elite middleweight contenders, with notable wins over names like Uriah Hall, Johny Hendricks, and Yoel Romero.
