It looks like we might have a middleweight title fight on our hands, but it’s not the one we were all expecting.

On Tuesday, reports came out that Paulo Costa, the presumptive next title challenger for recently crowned Israel Adesanya, had suffered an injury that would sideline him for the foreseeable future. In response, former middleweight title challenger Yoel Romero did what any enterprising fighter would, he inserted himself into the situation with a simple Tweet.

If Costa really is out, Romero would, in many ways, make sense for Adesanya. The former world champion and Olympic silver medalist in wrestling is only 1-3 in his last four fights, but arguably won all three of his decision losses, including his most recent fight, a three-round bout with Costa that put Costa in the position for a title fight. And apparently, Adesanya agrees. The middleweight champion also posted to Twitter yesterday, revealing that he’d been made aware of the Costa situation and that he and his team had already been looking at a fight with Romero in the meantime.

You guys just finding out shit we been knowing for weeks and plotting on for months! #staywoke #iseeyousoonboi @YoelRomeroMMA pic.twitter.com/UQizrmv9sa — Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) October 30, 2019

I like to do charity work in silence cuz “I too am extraordinarily humble.”

Sometimes I gotta flex for the likes https://t.co/eU43i8EI7S — Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) October 30, 2019

*yawn

Same shit, different fight.

After this...”cOsTA iS tHe ReAL tESt!” pic.twitter.com/4Vfvi6S4Zl — Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) October 30, 2019

That could be what Dana White was talking about when yesterday he admitted they were already looking into other options for Adesanya. If so, that’s obviously excellent news for Romero. But while Romero seems happy he’ll get another shot at the title, he did seem to take a bit of umbrage with Adesanya using his signature catchphrase - “I see you soon, boi.”

“Hey Israel, why you say ‘I see you, boy’? Why you say, ‘I see you soon, boy’? No, no, no. You don’t need to say something like this. Give me the f*cking date. Give me the f*cking date. Tell Dana White the f*cking date. Alright? That’s it.”

Of course, if all this comes to pass, that leaves Paulo Costa out in the cold. Since defeating Romero, Borrachinha has been active in trying to build a fight with Adesanya, and this injury setback could end up derailing that entirely. Costa certainly did not seem all that excited about Romero’s callout, or the speed with which things seem to be progressing without him.

It’s obviously very early on but things certainly do appear to be slipping out of the grasp of Costa. After all, when both a champion and a challenger want a fight, it tends to end up happening.

MUST-READ STORIES

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USADA. Neil Magny happy Nate Diaz was cleared so quickly thanks in part to his own USADA ordeal.

Alpha. Cat Zingano signs multi-fight deal to compete in Bellator’s featherweight division.

Interesting. Bellator President Scott Coker: Rory MacDonald’s contract not expired.

VIDEO STEW

UFC Embedded.

Masvidal on First Take.

Diaries of a Street Fighter.

Dana White’s interview with The Schmo.

Top-10 most popular fighters who didn’t have a title.

LISTEN UP

Eurobash. Interviews with Cyril Gane and Jai Herbert.

Fights Gone By. Jack Slack breaking down Demian Maia’s submission of Ben Askren.

SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

The fact that the audio cuts out on this is hilarious.

Q: #AskDiaz what is the most important quality to be a “BMF”?

- @AndyAxGlus



A: pic.twitter.com/CEj6hB4RZs — Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) October 29, 2019

Handling things well.

I appreciate all the support I’ve been getting over the last few days. I love you haters too, because well.....someone’s gotta love you losers. — Ben Askren (@Benaskren) October 29, 2019

Happy in her new digs.

This @BellatorMMA welcome and support is literally astonishing! Thanks so much, let's do this Team Alpha Cat! — Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) October 30, 2019

Not sure Justin has been paying attention to the sport for the last five years.

Can you imagine a world where @Cowboycerrone fights @TheNotoriousMMA in a fight where #bluelips is trying to fight for a @ufc #worldtitle Thats not the company I fight for or the sport I play. I know @danawhite who dedicated his life to this sport would never let that fly. — Justin Gaethje (@Justin_Gaethje) October 29, 2019

Call out.

@PlatinumPerry My man, you've been looking to throw down in December and I heard you got an offer... Sign the contract, let's make some money and give these fans a show! See you soon. — Geoff (handzofsteel) Neal (@handzofsteelmma) October 29, 2019

Don’t hate it.

I think I'm gonna prefer this BMF title over the UFC belt , maybe the BMF belt should be an open weight belt, makes sense to me @ufc #ufc #BMF — Nordine Taleb (@TNT83MMA) October 29, 2019

Everything about this is odd to me.

" St. McGregor " @thenotoriousmma make me the miracle.

.

The miracle of facing the biggest fans in this world.



Mexico vs Ireland



“San McGregor” @thenotoriousmma hazme el milagro.



El milagro de enfrentar a los más grandes fans de este mundo.



Mexico vs Irlanda pic.twitter.com/CWpvp1AV0F — Yair Rodriguez (@panteraufc) October 30, 2019

The man wants a job.

It's been four months already since I made the walk to the OCTAGON.

Who knows when is the next time? ‍♂️ @ufc @danawhite @Mickmaynard2 pic.twitter.com/SEpmou1FYJ — Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) October 29, 2019

Painting with Henry Cejudo.

I spent the afternoon painting with @HenryCejudo



Pls enjoy this video of me getting increasingly sweaty as I realize I have no idea what I’m doing painting pic.twitter.com/LjL4uBHhGu — Zach Schwartz (@zachzachzach) October 29, 2019

It appears that Joe Warren is attempting one final Olympic run.

From Joe Warren - Hi, I'd really appreciate it if you would share and donate to my GoFundMe campaign, Joe Warren - Baddest Man Tokyo 2020.

I would appreciate anything you could do to help sponsor my Olympic Run. BaddestMan on a Mission 2020 https://t.co/OiYkPkrQSI — Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) October 29, 2019

Andre Fili got a Urijah Faber tattoo.

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mauricio Rua (26-11) vs. Paul Craig (12-4); UFC Sao Paulo, Nov. 16.

Tracey Cortez (6-1) vs. Vanessa Melo (10-6); UFC Sao Paulo, Nov. 16.

Melissa Martinez (5-0) vs. Desiree Yanez (4-1); Combate Americas, Dec. 7

FINAL THOUGHTS

With Costa out, I love the Romero fight. Dude is arguably the best middleweight in the world and is a fascinating matchup for Adesanya. I hope this ends up happening.

Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.

EXIT POLL

Poll Does the UFC make Adesanya vs. Romero? This poll is closed. 82% Yes (1443 votes)

17% No (312 votes) 1755 votes total Vote Now

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