LAS VEGAS – UFC middleweight Chris Curtis remains to be therapeutic up, however he’s getting there.
The hamstring he injured in April through the ultimate seconds of his unanimous resolution loss vs. Brendan Allen is nearing it’s ultimate restoration levels. It might by no means be the identical, admitted Curtis (31-11 MMA, 5-3 UFC) – but it surely’ll be adequate.
“I’m so much higher than I used to be,” Curtis stated Wednesday as he spoke to MMA Junkie Radio at SEICon at Virgin Lodges. “We had a number of enhancements. I nonetheless had a differential between legs strength-wise. However they’re sort of pondering that may simply be the place I’m now. Like, I’m lacking a part of my hamstring. It’s simply gone. It’s de-spawned. It’s gone eternally. So which may be my new regular. … You’ve bought three components of your hamstring. The within half has two attachment heads. A type of heads simply de-spawned eternally, simply by no means to be seen once more. It simply obliterated within the damage. It’s simply gone.
“You recognize what? That’s life. You might have half of that hamstring now. It’s what it’s. I really feel good. I’ve been again coaching this week. Final week was my first full week of coaching. We’ve performed the identical factor this week. I’m again to wrestling. I’m again to sparring and the whole lot else. This would possibly simply be my new regular. Neglect it.”
Again to coaching, Curtis hopes for an October return. Now that he’s gained the UFC’s respect for his “anytime, anyplace” perspective, Curtis has informed the promotion who he needs subsequent and when.
“Personally, they already know,” Curtis stated. “I need to battle Paulo Costa. I believe that’s a enjoyable battle. That’s a slobberknocker. That might be actually enjoyable. Nothing towards Paulo Costa. I like Paulo Costa, however I really feel like, actually, I ought to’ve received the final battle. … I assumed I received it. Many of the world thought I received it. However one of many judges was clearly excessive. Then, the opposite one bought swayed by the final 10 seconds. What was the choose who scored it like 4 rounds to at least one. … You might be excessive. By no means choose once more. You have been horrible.
“… I assumed I’d be inside the highest 10. I didn’t get it. Let me battle Costa. Give me my shot on the high 10. I all the time bounce in the event you guys want a battle. I’m the man who jumps in. Let me have Costa. I believe that may be actually enjoyable.”
Curtis, 37, has bounced between welterweight and middleweight all through his UFC tenure, with combined outcomes towards center and upper-tier competitors. He’s 3-3 with one no contest in his most up-to-date seven outings.
Costa, 33, has competed twice in 2024 to date, shedding each fights by unanimous resolution. The primary was towards Robert Whittaker; the second towards Sean Strickland. The defeats moved Costa to 1-4 in his most up-to-date 5 fights. His speedy subsequent transfer shouldn’t be clear.
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