Paulo Costa is moving on from a potential fight with Khamzat Chimaev.

Costa and Chimaev had a feud for quite some time, and many fans wanted to see the fight. Yet, it didn’t happen at middleweight, and with Costa at light heavyweight, and Chimaev also moving up to light heavyweight, many fans thought the fight could happen next.

However, Costa said he’s no longer interested in the fight, and he explained why, as he believes Chimaev is done after his loss to Sean Strickland.

“I know many of you guys want to have me facing ‘Gourmet Chenchen Chimaev’ a.k.a. ‘Gourmet Chen Chen’ next,” Costa said in an Instagram video (h/t MMAFighting). “I don’t think this is going to happen. Why? Because he’s broke. I think he’s done. I don’t think he’ll be back. And even if he can regrow and be back, this will not be this year. So let’s move on. This will not be this year. So let’s move on, I have a bunch of fights, great fights, great matches to do.

“I want to fight as soon as possible. I think August is an amazing date, even July. So let’s move on. I can fight middleweight, light heavyweight, even heavyweight, OK. We have a great host, and let’s move.”

Paulo Costa has list of possible opponents

With Paulo Costa no longer interested in a fight with Khamzat Chimaev, he has some thoughts on who he should fight next.

Costa is open to fighting at any weight class and believes there are a number of fights that makes sense.

“I’m excited to see you guys again as soon as possible and so stop talking about Gourmet Chen Chen, OK?” Costa said. “You know I wish to do that fight before he lost, but mental strength is not one of his qualities, so he has a lot of problems to solve before [being] back. So that’s it, let’s move the page and let’s move on. I would bring three names for you guys: Hokit, heavyweight. Strickland, middleweight. And Mike Perry.”

Costa is 16-4 as a pro and is coming off a TKO win over Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 327 in his return to light heavyweight.

Do you think we will ever see Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev fight?