Paulo Costa Plans to Become Latest Champ-Champ, Blasts Israel Adesanya Over Timeline For Jon Jones Fight

Jon Jones and Israel Adesanya continue to feud via interviews and social media, and buzz about the star’s fighting continues fire around.

But, now Paulo Costa’s relayed that he has his sights set on ending Adesanya’s reign at 185 pounds, and then moving up to challenge for the light-heavyweight belt as well.

Costa is planning move to 205 pounds “soon”

As it stands right now, the expectation is that Costa (13-0) will challenge the middleweight champ Adesanya sometime, later this year. The rising Brazilian star has gone 5-0 to date in the UFC and Costa is coming off a decision win over Yoel Romero last August.

Well, recently the 29-year-old Costa spoke with MMA Junkie. While discussing his plans for the future, “Borrachinha” said this.

“I believe I can take two belts, middleweight and light heavyweight,” Costa said. “I believe that. I’m very big, and it’s a little difficult to make 185, so I think I can take two belts to my country after my next fight.

“My plan is to move to light heavyweight very soon, quickly after my next fight if it’s possible. It depends who, if light heavyweight will have a great name like Jon Jones or not, it depends, but I’m not scared to fight against big guys.”

So, this is really interesting to hear and when you consider how massive of a middleweight Costa is, it shouldn’t be all that surprising.

The question is, if Costa does beat Adesanya, would the UFC grant him a title shot at 205 next? Probably not.

Case in point, Dana White has said that he wants to see Adesanya and Jones fight, provided “The Last Stylebender” cleans out the middleweight division. So, chances are the UFC would call on Costa to defend the 185 title a few times, before giving him a shot at the light-heavyweight belt.

Costa takes another poke at Adesanya

And speaking of  Jones and Adesanysa, during the interview, Costa also took a poke at the latter, over his proposed timelime for a fight with “Bones”.

“Like the skinny guy Adesanya, he calls Jon Jones out, but when Jon Jones accepts, he says, ‘No I need two years to train,’ … so it’s not good,” Costa said.

“Nobody can call something and when his challenge (is) accepted, he says, ‘No, not now.’ This is shameful (expletive).

I won’t be that. I’m ready, if I want to fight in light heavyweight right now, I can do that. So I believe after this fight, I will move to the next step, on the next shot.”

We shall see what happens. First things first, however, and Costa needs to hand Adesanya his first, professional MMA defeat.

Adesanya (19-0) is also coming off a decision win over Romero, which took place at UFC 248 in February.