Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC
Paulo Costa wants big bucks to fight Israel Adesanya.
Paulo Costa wants Jon Jones money.
The Brazilian knockout artist recently hinted at a TUF coaching role opposite Israel Adesanya and said that he wants ‘15 million’ for the matchup, citing Jones’ requested salary against Stipe Miocic.
‘Bones’, whose heavyweight superfight against Miocic fell apart in negotiations, is currently embroiled in a heated contract dispute with UFC president Dana White over fighter pay.
Who likes that match?
— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) June 18, 2020
I want 15 million like Jon
— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) June 18, 2020
“I want 15 million like Jon,” Costa tweeted on Thursday after revealing that his proposed middleweight title bout with ‘The Last Stylebender’ is far from a done deal.
Costa (13-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) was expected to challenge Adesanya for the UFC middleweight title earlier this year but was forced to pull out of the bout due to injury. The 29-year-old earned his title shot with a unanimous decision win over Yoel ‘Soldier of God’ Romero at UFC 241. The bout earned Fight of the Night honors and Costa pocketed $120,000, so don’t expect to see the UFC payout anywhere near close to 16 million for Adesanya matchup.