UFC middleweight Chris Curtis has promised to go strike for strike with Paulo Costa should the Brazilian accept his callout post-Sean Strickland loss.
Curtis recently returned to training after recovering from the hamstring tear he sustained last time out, and he's after a big-name fight this fall.
Prior to suffering the severe injury in the closing moments against Brendan Allen, the pair's rematch in a UFC Fight Night main event at the Apex this past April was competitive and among the best bouts of the year thus far.
Always looking to put on a show, "The Action Man" is hoping to replicate that barnburner in his next fight, and he has just the opponent in mind...
Curtis Reiterates Costa Callout, Promises Barnburner After Strickland Snoozer
During a recent appearance on MMA Junkie Radio, Curtis reiterated his desire to fight former title challenger Paulo Costa.
"Borrachinha's" stock took a hit at UFC 302 last month when he fell short in a lackluster five-round affair with Curtis' teammate, ex-champ Sean Strickland.
Should Costa accept a clash in the cage with Strickland's fellow Xtreme Couture standout, however, he can seemingly expect a dancing partner ready and willing to throw down in the middle of the Octagon.
I cornered Sean that fight. When he took that fight...I literally went back, watched all of the Costa fights, and I had like a freakin' four-page bulletin report on what to do...everything that Costa does, when he does it, why I think he does it," Curtis said. "I just think it's a fight that I match up well with.
Costa's usually a really fun guy to watch but the Strickland fight was just weird for him because Sean's a weird guy to fight," Curtis continued. "I think me and Costa, I think we can just sit there and beat on each other until somebody falls, and I'm okay with that. Sean doesn't want to fight that way. He's not trying to get his head bust in. I will gladly stand in front of you and we will just swing at each other.
Curtis initially shared his interest in keeping Xtreme Couture's eyes locked on Costa the day after the UFC 302 event in Newark. "The Action Man" respectfully offered to throw down with the Brazilian after sympathizing with his struggles against Strickland.