Surging UFC middleweight Paulo Costa hopes his next fight is against Chris Weidman – on Weidman’s home turf.

Costa told MMAjunkie Radio he’s pushing for a meeting with ex-champ Weidman (14-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) at UFC 230, which takes place Nov. 3 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

“This fight can show who gets the next title shot after Kelvin Gastelum,” said Costa (12-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC), who this past weekend at UFC 226 stopped Uriah Hall (13-9 MMA, 6-7 UFC) to pick up his fourth straight UFC win.

There’s another name being thrown at Costa, though he didn’t ask for the input. Many MMA observers want to see him face fellow undefeated prospect Israel Adesanya (14-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC), who called him out after a win over Brad Tavares (17-5 MMA, 12- 5 UFC) the night before his fight.

Costa said he really didn’t know Adesanya before he showed up on fight week, and he was unwittingly drawn into a beef with the standout striker. Although he’s not eager to divert from his current goal, he’s not opposed to a meeting with “The Last Stylebender.”

“The first time I heard his name was on Friday when he fought,” Costa said. “People asked me about this fight, and I said I don’t know this guy. But if the people want this fight, let’s make this fight.

“But my priority is Chris Weidman. He’s a former champion, he’s very famous in the world, and he’s higher ranked. But I’m a fighter, and the UFC decides. (UFC President) Dana White decides. I’m here to make the biggest and the greatest fights. So if he wants it and everybody wants it, I’ll fight Israel.”

According to Adesanya, White doesn’t want to see the matchup with Costa, so the Brazilian appears to be off the hook for the meantime. The two up-and-comers may need some time to develop their careers further before deciding whose ceiling is higher.

Costa is ready to take on any name to prove he’s title worthy. If he does meet Adesanya down the road, he’s convinced he’ll have more tools to win the fight.

“I think Israel is more easy to fight than Chris Weidman,” Costa said. “I like the hard fights. Israel, I saw some of his highlights yesterday, and I think he doesn’t have good grappling. He’s more of a standup fighter, so I think it’s easier than Chris Weidman.”

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.