The middleweight championship has taken a backseat amidst the coronavirus pandemic. Granted that the title was defended at UFC 248 which served as the final PPV with an audience. However, the fans are keen to see Israel Adesanya defend his strap against Paulo Costa. As per Dana White, the fight is definitely on the UFC’s radar in the long term and revealed why they aren’t going ahead with it as of yet.
Dana White says the UFC is focused on Fight Island
In a chat with the media ahead of Wednesday’s Fight Night: Kattar vs Ige, as per Helen Yee’s tweet, the UFC President said, “There’s no holdup, they just haven’t done it yet.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
He added that the maiden Fight Island served as the company’s primary focus. “We’re focused on this here, on fight island. I’m not thinking about anything else right now. We’ve got fight island.”
The company is organizing cards on Fight Island at present. They have successfully pulled off UFC 251 and will organize 3 more fight nights before moving back to the UFC Apex. Furthermore, the UFC President added that they have got fights set for the next 3 months.
“We have fights laid out until October, so our schedule’s already made. We’re way ahead of this thing and when it’s time we’ll announce it.”
Adesanya and Costa were supposed to clash at UFC 248. However, the latter suffered a setback and pulled out. Yoel Romero replaced him and went down. Following the fight, Costa tried to leap the barricades as ‘The Last Stylebender’ taunted him.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
For the past few weeks, ever since Dana White revealed that the Middleweight cash is happening, ‘Borrachinha’ has been goading the champion. He went so far as to ask for ‘The Last Stylebender’s address and dared him to show up and fight.
Also Read: “Show Up Skinny Boy Let’s Fight”- Paulo Costa Goads Israel Adesanya to Sign the Contract
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The match will certainly be exciting as the animosity between the fighters has been brewing for months.
What do you make of this anticipated clash? Do you see Adesanya and Costa slotting in at any of the fight cards before October? Or will their clash be kept for the winter?