Paulo Costa to Luke Rockhold: “You are just a b ****,, and your steroids don’t work anymore.”

Luke Rockhold said UFC 276 is the promotion’s proposed event for his return. All the former UFC middleweight champion needs now is an opponent for the July 2 card in Las Vegas.

Rockhold hopes it’s Paulo Costa, the one-time title challenger he’s repeatedly called out. But behind the scenes, he accuses the Brazilian fighter of “not contractually agreeing to the fight because of the weight issues that [the UFC is] placing on him.”

“So, within all these rules it’s like: alright, but you don’t really want to lose weight. You want all the excuses. But, when it all comes down to, your steroids have stopped working. Rockhold stated on The MMA Hour . “You got caught up, and you’re looking for a way out. It’s clear that he has always required assistance. So f****** show up. Show up and show out.”

Rockhold doesn’t monitor Twitter, so he hasn’t seen the twists and turns of Costa’s account. The Brazilian is currently attempting to fight Derek Brunson. He mocked the Brazilian’s weight issues by telling him to go up to heavyweight. But after Rockhold’s interview on Wednesday, Costa briefly shifted his attention.

If Costa isn’t available, Rockhold said he’s open to fighting other middleweight standouts like Darren Till or Jack Hermansson. He won’t fight anyone who isn’t up to his standard. Costa loves a fight because his critics hate it. They believe his chin can’t withstand the punishments he may receive.

” Rockhold said, “I enjoy defying the odds and it’s a great opportunity. I feel better than I ever felt. I’ve had to fight through at least four operations, but I don’t think so. I won’t be coming back without a reason. Each fight is either a title or main event. A big fight is what I want, so I also need someone to dance with me. I want to do this thing right.”

It has been three years since Rockhold made his last octagon appearance. He lost to Jan Blachowicz, the former light heavyweight champion. This was Rockhold’s third stoppage in as many outings. One of his more vocal critics, current UFC light heavyweight and commentator Anthony Smith, said in no uncertain terms that the former champ is no longer capable of fighting at a high level. But Rockhold attributes his setbacks to a series of injuries, not the concussions he sustained. Four surgeries later, he said he’s feeling as good as he’s ever felt. He denies any issues with his ability to take a punch.

“That is what everybody thinks,” Rockhold stated. “Let’s go. Take the ****** stand. Paulo Costa is getting afraid and refusing to sign the contract. The contract’s there. You can get it now. Anthony Smith’s a f****** bum, hasn’t done anything in this f****** sport — contradicts himself soundly in that statement.

“I know that at my best, no one can beat me. I plan to finding that space. This is the thing that I have devoted my entire life to. I’ve taken this time away, and I kind of lost that hunger, and it’s come back. Either I go for it or I go with my shield. So this is my f****** last run at this thing, and I’m not leaving anything on the table.”