In a night filled with electrifying bouts, UFC 318 delivered another memorable event as Paulo Costa secured a unanimous decision victory over Roman Kopylov. The Brazilian middleweight contender showcased his striking prowess, earning scores of 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28 from the judges. However, it was Costa’s post-fight callout of Khamzat Chimaev that truly captured the spotlight.
Speaking to foxsports.com.au earlier in the week, Costa had already hinted at his intentions, stating that he was eager to face Chimaev regardless of the outcome of his fight with Kopylov. This sentiment was echoed in a previous appearance on Ariel Helwani’s show, where Costa declared,
“Win or lose, I want to fight that motherf***er.”
Paulo Costa’s Bold Challenge
Following his victory, Costa doubled down on his challenge, expressing a personal vendetta against Chimaev. “Everybody knows I hate that guy, everybody knows who. That motherf****r Chimaev, yeah. He is a big a*****e,” Costa stated emphatically. The animosity between the two fighters has been brewing, with Costa accusing Chimaev of disrespectful behavior towards his wife.
“You know my wife is over here, he DM her. This is not good. This is bad thing in every culture, he says bad things about me, about her,” Costa continued. “But he never says (it) to me because he is a coward. Chimaev you are a coward and I’m here, I’m going to look for you, I am going to chase for you. I will not stop until I get to you.”
Jimmy Crute’s Resurgence
Meanwhile, Australian fighter Jimmy Crute made a significant statement in the early prelims by submitting Marcin Prachnio with a first-round armbar. This victory marked Crute’s first win in the UFC since 2020, reigniting his aspirations for a future world title.
Crute reflected on his performance, saying,
“The armbar used to be my move. I used to hit everyone with the armbars earlier in my career. I sort of went away from it because you lose position but he gave it to me and I went thank you.”
He acknowledged the emotional rollercoaster of the week, emphasizing the importance of the win for his career trajectory.
Crute’s victory sets the stage for a potential matchup against Dustin Jacoby, whom he called out post-fight. Reflecting on his journey, Crute noted, “I see a world title in my picture for the first time in my career. I’ve never been able to visualise it and I see it there.”
Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier: A Trilogy to Remember
The main event of UFC 318 saw the culmination of a storied rivalry as Max Holloway faced Dustin Poirier for the third time. This bout marked Poirier’s final walk to the Octagon, closing out a career that has spanned over a decade. Despite being 0-2 against Poirier, Alexander Volkanovski backed Holloway to triumph in this pivotal clash.
Volkanovski shared his confidence in Holloway’s ability to rebound from a recent knockout loss, stating,
“He’s coming off the first knockout loss ever. Not many people can bounce back from that. But there’s only few that can bounce back in a positive way, and I know he’s one of them.”
Holloway, who began his UFC journey with a loss to Poirier, has since become one of the most accomplished fighters in the featherweight division. His ability to adapt and evolve will be crucial as he seeks to defend his BMF title against Poirier.
The Future of UFC 318 Fighters
As UFC 318 concludes, the implications for its fighters are significant. Paulo Costa’s callout of Khamzat Chimaev sets the stage for a potential blockbuster fight that could captivate MMA fans worldwide. Meanwhile, Jimmy Crute’s resurgence could signal a new chapter in his career, with aspirations for a title run now firmly within his sights.
For Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier, their trilogy fight not only serves as a testament to their enduring legacies but also as a pivotal moment in the UFC’s storied history. As Poirier steps away from the Octagon, his contributions to the sport will be remembered, while Holloway continues to build on his already impressive career.
As the dust settles on UFC 318, fans and fighters alike are left to ponder the future matchups and storylines that will emerge from this landmark event.
