Paulo Borrachinha insults Khamzat Chimaev after winning at UFC 318 and demands a fight: 'You're a coward!'

Paulo borrachinha returned to the octagon this Saturday (19), at UFC 318, and with an aggressive performance, worthy of the 'old testament', he won Roman Kopylov by unanimous decision of the judges after three rounds of dominance. But what caught the public's attention even more was what happened after the fight: in an interview still in the cage, the Brazilian spoke out against Khamzat Shimaev and reignited a rivalry that had been heating up behind the scenes.

Winless since 2022, Borrachinha returned to winning ways with a solid performance. Always pushing forward and punishing Kopylov's legs, body, and head, the Minas Gerais native imposed himself from the start and made clear his intention to reclaim his place among the top names in the middleweight division. However, things really heated up when the microphone was handed to him.

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"Everyone knows I hate Chimaev. He's a jerk! He texted my wife, disrespected her, said things about me to her, but he never said it to my face. Chimaev, you're a coward! I'm here and I'm going to look for you. I won't stop until I get you!" a visibly excited Borrachinha said, directly challenging his rival.

The provocation adds to the history of tension between the two. A confrontation between Borrachinha and Chimaev was even planned in the past, but never materialized.

Borrachinha won again at UFC 318

Inside the cage, Borrachinha was efficient and consistent. He began the fight by pressuring Kopylov with low kicks and feints, and he grew at the end of the first round by rocking the Russian with a hook, nearly ending the fight right there.

IPaulo Borrachinha challenged Khamzat Shimaev after victory at UFC 318. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram borrachinhamma

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In the second round, he maintained the rhythm, mixing attacks at the waistline with constant pressure at close range.

In the third, even under some pressure, he remained calm and used provocation as a psychological weapon to contain his rival's advance.

UFC 318 results

MAIN CARD (23pm Brasília time)

Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Max Holloway derrotou Dustin poirier by unanimous decision of the judges (48-47, 49-46, 49-46) – fight for the BMF belt

Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Paulo borrachinha derrotou Roman Kopylov in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Daniel Rodriguez derrotou Kevin holland in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Patricio pitbull defeat Dan Ige in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Michael Johnson derrotou Daniel Zellhuber in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

PRELIMINARY CARD (19:15 p.m. Brasília time)

Bantam weight (up to 61,2 kg): Vinicius LokDog derrotou Kyler Phillips by unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Brendan allen derrotou Marvin vettori by unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Nikolay Veretennikov derrotou Francis Meadow by split decision of the judges (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Middleweight (up to 83,9 kg): Ateba Gautier defeated Robert Valentine by technical knockout (punches) at 1min10sec of R1

Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Islam Dulatov defeated Adam Fugitt by knockout (punches) at 4min06sec of R1

Light heavyweight (up to 93 kg): Jimmy crute derrotou Marcin Prachnio by submission (armbar) at 4m42sec of R1

Heavy weight (up to 120,2 kg): Ryan spann derrotou Lukasz Brzeski by submission (guillotine) at 2m47sec of R1

Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Bruno Hulk defeated Jackson McVey by submission (armbar) at 3:35 of R1

Flyweight (up to 56,7kg): Carli Judice derrotou Nicole Caliari by technical knockout at 1:03. from R3