Paulo Costa Makes Damning Accusation Against Israel Adesanya Ahead Of UFC Title Fight

MMA star Paulo Costa has claimed UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is avoiding him and believes he does not want to fight him.

Adesanya is set to defend his UFC middleweight title against Costa in a highly-anticipated clash which has not yet been officially booked.

UFC president Dana White insists there's no "hold up" in announcing the championship bout.

But Costa reckons it's obvious that the Nigerian-born Kiwi does not want the fight to happen.

"It's pretty obvious. If I am the next challenger to the title, it is clear that Adesanya does not want to fight me," he explained.

"He wants this fight not to happen, he wants to avoid it in some way. It is what we are feeling with these refusals of dates. It is obvious that you are avoiding the fight.

"There will be no easy life, you will lose the belt, the title. You are avoiding as much as you can."

Adesanya was supposed to face Costa earlier this year before the Brazilian challenger withdrew due to a bicep injury.

And ahead of returning to the Octagon, 'The Last Stylebender' has urged White to make the match in New Zealand.

"That's a no brainer," Adesanya said. "100 percent, f**k yeah.

"I have to headline Spark Arena before my career is over and to defend my title there against this inflated balloon animal, that'd be beautiful."