Controversy Surrounds Khamzat Chimaev Amid Allegations of Disrupting Paulo Costa's UFC 294 Fight Camp

No respite in sight for the exhausted... particularly when a mischievous caller disrupts their sleep at all hours.

UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa is pushing through rigorous training for the upcoming UFC 294 pay-per-view event, all while recuperating from elbow surgery. However, his preparations are marred by an individual affiliated with Khamzat Chimaev's camp, determined to make his journey as challenging as possible.

Coach Eric Albarracin, in a recent interview with The MMA Hour, expressed his concerns about the heightened tension between the two fighters. Their hostile history traces back to an altercation at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas before UFC 279, a feud that escalated on social media in the ensuing months.

In Albarracin's words, "After that happened, people started calling us in the middle of the night, waking us up. So, there’s just been some sabotaging going on on his end, trying to keep us with the jet lag."

Despite the disruptions, Team Costa remains resolute in their mission. As Albarracin noted, they have arrived in Abu Dhabi well in advance, determined to right the wrongs of their previous visit and bring home a title shot for Costa.

Paulo Costa, with a record of 14-2, last competed in 2023, securing a unanimous decision victory over former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold at UFC 278. On the other side, Khamzat Chimaev, boasting a 12-0 record, hasn't fought since his first-round submission win over Kevin Holland at UFC 279, which ended in the controversial aftermath of Chimaev missing weight.

The outcome of their clash could potentially position the victor as a leading contender for a shot at the 185-pound title.