Paulo Costa is already looking ahead to his next bout and has some ideas on who he wants next.
One of the best fights on the UFC 278 fight card was the one between Paulo Costa and Luke Rockhold. Costa came out on top of the unanimous decision victory over Rockhold just two days ago but is already looking for his next bout. Costa came into the fight at UFC 278 sitting in the number six spot on the rankings. It is unclear if that performance against Rockhold will be enough to move him up into the top five, but he is looking for a bout next that is certain to do so.
Costa was a guest on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani to talk about his fight and the future. He stated that he does have a path to the title in mind, and it starts with the winner of the upcoming bout between Robert Whittaker and Marvin Vettori. He says he will be in attendance for this bout.
“I need to be there because the main fight between Marvin Vettori and Robert Whittaker, I feel my opponent comes from there. I think this fight makes sense. I need to fight the winner of this fight, I think,” Costa said.
Costa fought Vettori already his last time out but there were strange circumstances going into the fight. During fight week, Costa knew he would not make weight so just days out the bout was switched to light heavyweight. Costa believes he can get that one back again or on the flip side, he can take a fight with the former champion Whittaker, whom he believes is not ready for another title shot just yet.
Paulo Costa has no interest in fighting Jake Paul, but maybe Logan
Costa has his sights set on the middleweight title, even though there could be more lucrative fights elsewhere. He has some words for boxer Jake Paul on social media but when asked if he would be interested in facing him, Costa said no.
“Jake Paul has been doing great things,” he said. ” I think he did some TV shows but he came from the fight business and he did great. He’s not enough, he is not enough. Sorry. I’m so happy for him. I am too powerful for him. I called finish his career even on the show the TV shows with very serious damage. Logan Paul is different, Logan Paul is bigger than him, Logan Paul is humbler than him, I love Logan Paul.”
In order for Costa to fight either Paul brother, he would have to no longer be under UFC contract. With his big win, he could be looking at a contract extension. Right now he has stated that he has one fight left on his current deal.
Watch the entire video here:
