Kamaru Usman urges Khamzat Chimaev to jump weight classes, pointing to a light heavyweight path against Paulo Costa

Kamaru Usman has a different idea for where Khamzat Chimaev should go next. Usman, speaking in the context of Chimaev’s current momentum after falling short of the middleweight title, suggested that “Borz” should move up to light heavyweight and pursue a fight with Paulo Costa, framing it as a better match-up than waiting behind a rematch trail.

Chimaev is coming off his UFC 328 middleweight title loss, an upset in which he was defeated by Sean Strickland. According to Yahoo Sports, Chimaev is already campaigning for a rematch with Strickland after a closely contested first fight, keeping the middleweight title picture at the center of his near-term plans.

But Usman’s comments shift the emphasis from a continuation of the same storyline to a potential change in chessboard position. The thrust of the argument, as reported, is that Chimaev should not be limited to the weight class where he lost, and that a step up could unlock new opportunities, including matchups that make strategic sense for his style.

Paulo Costa, a longtime power striker and former middleweight title challenger, represents the kind of challenge that would force Chimaev to adapt against heavier opponents in both strength and pace. While the report does not lay out confirmed details for a fight booking, Usman’s suggestion puts Costa on the short list of names that could draw attention if Chimaev’s camp decides to explore the light heavyweight division.

In the UFC, moving up is rarely just about chasing an easier path. Weight-class transitions can change everything from striking distance and clinch exchanges to how quickly cardio and power hold up as the pace tightens. For Chimaev, who is widely viewed as a fighter built for pressure and momentum, the question would be whether his best traits translate cleanly to a class where opponents typically carry more mass and absorb impact differently.

Usman’s take also highlights a broader reality in the current UFC ecosystem: the champion’s immediate storyline can crowd out other contenders, even those who believe they should be next. If Chimaev keeps pushing for a Strickland rematch, the timeline depends on the division’s booking priorities. If he turns toward light heavyweight, it could reshape the order of operations by introducing a new challenger profile that promoters and matchmakers can build around.

What to watch next is whether Usman’s proposal gains traction beyond opinion. If Chimaev’s team begins treating a light heavyweight move as more than a talking point, the UFC could face a choice between completing the middleweight rematch arc and pivoting to a cross-division matchup that would test Chimaev against a different tier of opponent.