If UFC middleweight champ Israel Adesanya has his choice, his first title defense will be against Yoel Romero. According to UFC president Dana White, though, pieces will have to fall into place for that to happen.

Over the past week, Adesanya (18-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) has made it known he wants former title challenger Romero (13-4 MMA, 9-4 UFC) next in the wake of Paulo Costa’s bicep surgery. In a recent tweet, Adesanya revealed a text conversation he had with his head coach Eugene Bareman. The conversation indicated Romero has been on their mind since mid-October.

In a recent interview with SirusXM, Adesanya matter-of-factly stated his next fight would be against Romero. He explained why he’s been targeting “The Solider of God” and how a win over Romero would benefit him.

“The fight is already said and done,” Adesanya said. “No one asked to fight Yoel. I said I want to fight the baddest (expletive) in there. So we called him out even though he’s on a two-fight losing streak. He’s lost three of his last four. For the stark, it’s not just not good for business. I’m a charitable guy and I think he’s a beast. Regardless of records. (Expletive) records. He’s a bad (expletive).

“And all of the casuals keep thinking this is the guy. They said, ‘Kelvin: This is the guy who’s going to (expletive) him up. This is the guy.’ My ass didn’t hit the ground once in that fight. And then Robert. ‘Oh, Robert’s coming off a fresh layoff. This is the guy. He’s going to starch him.’ I did what I did and now the next one. ‘Oh, Paulo Costa. Borrachinha. He’s the one.’ And then he’s got his bicep injured or something.”

However, in a recent interview with journalist Adam Glyn, White offered up slightly different plans for the UFC middleweight division. While Romero could be next for Adesanya, White said the opposite isn’t true. Romero will have to get back into the win column before he gets a crack at his third UFC title shot.

“(Adesanya) wants to fight Yoel Romero,” White said. “He wants Romero. We’re talking about giving Romero a fight coming up soon here and then (Adesanya) will fight the winner of that one.”

Additionally, White provided some clarity on Costa, who defeated Romero in a thrilling bout at UFC 241 in August. Many believed Costa would be next in line for Adesanya before the bicep injury sidelined the Brazilian until mid-2020.

Although White said in past interviews Costa would be out eight months, the Brazilian has said he will only be out until April. The UFC president addressed the timetable discrepancy.

“Well, Costa tore his bicep, so he had to have surgery,” White said. ” He’s claiming he’ll be back sooner than he will be. That’s not what the doctor is telling me. So that’s not true.”

Regardless of opponent, Adesanya’s next fight will be his first UFC title defense. In early October, Adesanya traded in his interim title for an undisputed one when he knocked out then-champion Robert Whittaker in the second round of their UFC 243 headliner.

Prior to the victory, Adesanya defeated Kelvin Gastelum in a “Fight of the Year” candidate at UFC 236 in April. “The Last Style Bender” is undefeated in his UFC tenure, also holding wins over Brad Tavares and Derek Brunson among others.