The UFC is making its next show in New York a middleweight extravaganza, as Yoel Romero vs. Paulo Costa has been added to the card.
Yoel Romero will remain at middleweight, at least for the foreseeable future. Despite rumblings that he might head north to 205lbs, Romero has been booked into a bout at UFC 230 in New York this November. There, he’ll meet Paulo Costa, who’s fresh off a big win over Uriah Hall at UFC 226.
NY, ARE YOU READY⁉️
No. 1 contender @YoelRomeroMMA faces the undefeated @BorrachinhaMMA at @TheGarden Nov 3. #UFC230 pic.twitter.com/7Ti6SNyold
— UFC (@ufc) July 24, 2018
Romero (13–3), of course, is coming off a close loss to Robert Whittaker for the middleweight title at UFC 225. The defeat marked his second loss to Whittaker, with a win over Luke Rockhold sandwiched between the two.
Prior to his defeat of Hall earlier this month, Costa had scored a TKO of Johnny Hendricks at UFC 217, also in New York City. That loss turned out to be the final bout of the former welterweight champion’s career. Costa remains undefeated in twelve professional fights to date. The Brazilian has never been to a decision.
The addition of Romero vs. Costa adds to an already impressive pair of middleweight scraps at UFC 230. Also targeted for the event are Luke Rockhold vs. Chris Weidman and and Jacare Souza vs. David Branch. With Whittaker out until early 2019 and set to take on Kelvin Gastelum, the New York card looks to be key for the division’s plans next year.
UFC 230 takes place at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY on November 3.
