Paulo Henrique Costa: Title Shot Confirmed, Plans To Watch Whittaker-Adesanya Cageside

Next month’s middleweight title fight featuring champion Robert Whittaker against interim champion Israel Adesanya just got a bit more interesting, as Brazilian juggernaut Paulo Henrique Costa has confirmed he’ll be cageside in Melbourne to get a first-hand look at his next opponent.

Costa put on a war last month against Olympic silver medalist wrestler Yoel Romero at UFC 241, winning the fight via unanimous decision and confirming his status as the No. 1 contender to the 185-pound title.

The Brazilian recently spoke with BJPenn.com and said that Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White told him after his win over Romero he would get the next title shot before confirming he would be heading to Australia to be cage side to watch the title fight between Whittaker and Adesanya.

“Yes, I am going to Melbourne. Dana White is sending me there and said I get the next title shot. I fight the winner of Whittaker-Adesanya,” Costa said.

Costa said he was confident he could beat either fighter before tipping Whittaker to retain his belt. Although if it was up to “The Eraser” he would be fighting Adesanya in a grudge match:

“I can beat both. I think Adesanya is a fake champion. He hasn’t fought anyone tough, he is a skinny clown. I have a personal problem with him,” Paulo Costa explained. “If he beats Whittaker, which I don’t think, I’m going to kill him. He doesn’t stand a chance against me. As for Whittaker, he is good, tough guy. He is not as strong as Yoel, so I can take him. He is like Yoel with less power, so I can beat both of them. I really want Adesanya, though.”