While some have stepped up to challenge the new champion, a top contender fight is being put together to determine that first challenger according to UFC President Dana White.
“(Adesanya) wants to fight Yoel Romero,” White said in an interview with Adam Glyn (via Nolan King of MMA Junkie). “He wants Romero. We’re talking about giving Romero a fight coming up soon here and then (Adesanya) will fight the winner of that one.”
Romero has been announced as one of the competitors is the top contender fight, but the second participant hasn’t been announced at this time.
Paulo Costa, who is out of action after getting surgery, is supposed to be back in action in April of 2020 according to his manager, but White heard different.
“Well, Costa tore his bicep, so he had to have surgery,” White said. "He’s claiming he’ll be back sooner than he will be. That’s not what the doctor is telling me. So that’s not true.”
Costa was expected to get the next shot at the UFC Middleweight Champion until the biceps surgery took place.
