Paulo Costa Returns with a High-Stakes Battle against Ikram Aliskerov at UFC 291

In an exciting turn of events, middleweight contender Ikram Aliskerov has been granted a remarkable opportunity to showcase his skills against former title challenger Paulo Costa at UFC 291. The much-anticipated clash is scheduled to take place on July 29 at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City.

With Aliskerov's recent knockout victory over Phil Hawes, his stock has skyrocketed, and the Combat Sambo world champion is now set to face one of the division's elite competitors. Despite being only two fights into his UFC career, Ikram Aliskerov finds himself thrust into the spotlight with a chance to prove his mettle against a top-ranked contender.

Boasting an impressive record of 14-1, with six consecutive victories, the Russian fighter has consistently delivered exciting finishes. His only setback came in a knockout loss to the highly regarded Khamzat Chimaev in 2019, a defeat that fueled Aliskerov's determination to climb the middleweight ranks.

Paulo Costa, also known as "Borrachina," is undoubtedly one of the most explosive and tenacious fighters in the middleweight division. Coming off a thrilling victory over former champion Luke Rockhold at UFC 278, Costa demonstrated his ability to engage in exhilarating battles and emerged victorious with a Fight of the Night performance.

However, his UFC contract expired after that fight, leaving fans uncertain about his future in the promotion. The anticipated showdown with Robert Whittaker for UFC 284 fell through, with Costa claiming he never agreed to the bout. Citing discontent with his pay, Costa openly expressed his desire for fair compensation, highlighting the long-standing issue of fighter pay in the sport.

When Aliskerov steps into the octagon to face Costa, he will undoubtedly face the toughest test of his career. The fight promises to be a thrilling clash of styles, with Aliskerov's technical prowess and knockout power pitted against Costa's aggressive and relentless approach. With Costa's reputation as a heavy hitter and Aliskerov's proven ability to finish fights, fans can expect fireworks from the opening bell.

Will the rising star Aliskerov defy the odds and solidify his position among the middleweight elites? Or will Costa unleash his ferocious power and reclaim his status as a top contender? Fight fans around the world eagerly anticipate the outcome of this high-stakes clash, as both fighters step into the octagon with their sights set on victory at UFC 291.