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MMA analyst Kenny Florian believes Paulo Costa should be the next challenger for the UFC light heavyweight title.

With a two-fight win streak behind him and coming off the back of a light heavyweight finish over Azamat Murzakanov, Paulo Costa has been raising a few eyebrows at 205 pounds since returning to the division.

RELATED: Magomed Ankalaev wouldn’t mind fighting Paulo Costa if Carlos Ulberg remains sidelined: “Unless he’s going to be running away”

While Costa has been best known for some of his antics online in recent years, he has quietly been refining his game in a way that could make him a legitimate contender for the belt.

In a recent podcast, Kenny Florian explained why he would rather see Costa get that opportunity as opposed to former champion Magomed Ankalaev.

Florian on Costa/Ankalaev dilemma

“I would go with Paulo Costa,” Florian said on his “Anik & Florian” podcast. “This is exactly what the division needs. They need a name, they need excitement. I don’t care about this division, I really don’t. I want to, but I don’t. And I need someone like a Paulo Costa who looks the part, who plays the part, who is hilarious on social media. But when he fights, he goes out there and looks for the knockout, and everything he throws looks spectacular.

“So, he’s a tremendous athlete, he knows how to excite the crowd, and when he’s on his game, he is going to be tough to beat. I think he can steal that spot. Yes, I think Ankalaev probably deserves it based on what he has done, but we know that this is a business and the UFC is looking for guys that are going to go out there and put on a show, and Costa is that guy.”

Quotes via MMA Junkie

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