Paulo Costa (photo via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Now that middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is set to battle light heavyweight champ Jan Blachowicz, Paulo Costa’s manager is calling on the UFC to put up an interim belt.

In addition, Costa’s manager, Wallid Ismail, believes Costa should battle former champ Robert Whittaker for the interim title.

Costa faced Adesanya at UFC 253 in September and was stopped by the champion in round two. At UFC 254 in October, Whittaker worked his way to a decision win over contender, Jared Cannonier.

More recently, it’s been confirmed that Adesanya will challenge Blachowicz for the light heavyweight title on March 6th. Since then, Ismail spoke with MMA Fighting, and he called for Costa and Whittaker to square off for an interim title.

“This fight has been discussed ever since they first announced that Adesanya would fight the 205-pound champion Blachowicz,” Ismail said. “Dana White said he wants this fight, that he would make this fight happen, and Whittaker said he would only fight for the belt next. We’re just waiting for Dana White to book this fight.”

“This is the best fight for 185, the No. 1 against the No. 2,” Ismail said. “The winner… Borrachinha will win, and with that win, imagine how many pay-per-views a rematch with Adesanya would do. It’s a business. It’s the best pay-per-view possible because Borrachinha and Adesanya really hate each other, but we can’t leave the division on hold. That’s why we have to make this for the interim belt.”

Costa had gone 13-0 in pro-MMA bouts until facing Adesanya.