In recent weeks, the talk has been that a bicep injury has punted Paulo Costa ‘s shot at the UFC’s 185 crown down the line. As a result, the champ Israel Adesanya has been calling for a fight with Yoel Romero, and the UFC has reportedly been working on making that fight. But, now that Costa is back to training, could the UFC change gears?
Costa is back to training
Due to Costa’s 5-0 run in the UFC, and because he defeated Romero by split decision in August, the hulking Brazilian fighter was expected to face Adesanya next. The fact the two have been trading verbal shots for months also made the match-up particularly interesting.
But, when Costa was sidelined due to a bicep injury, Adesanya let it be known he didn’t want to wait around and called for a bout with Romero. At first, it looked like the UFC had other plans. But, more recently Dana White has said they’re trying to book the match-up.
Well, as soon as Costa’s injury was announced, he said he wasn’t going to be out for too long and that he could fight Adesanya next. Now, the heavy-handed fighter has posted videos of him training. So, people are wondering if perhaps, the UFC could move with Adesanya – Costa?
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White comments on Costa’s videos
During the press conference for UFC 246 on Wednesday, White asked about Adesanya vs. Romero. The UFC President acknowledged that they’re working on it, but then he also said this (quote via MMA Junkie):
“The only question is, I don’t know if you’ve seen on social media, but if you look at Costa, he looks like he’s ready to go again, and he’s pushing hard saying, ‘I could take this fight,’” White said.
If you look at him online, he looks great and everything else, but we want to hear it from a doctor. We want a doctor to tell us that this guy is going to be OK to fight sooner. Why rush it?”
So, we’ll see what happens. It sounds like the UFC plans to go with Romero still. But, it also seems like Costa is still in the running no? And if Costa doesn’t get booked to face Adesanya next, could the UFC ask him to fight in the interim?
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