The much-anticipated middleweight championship combat is just around the corner!
An exciting match-up between two unbeaten fighters Isreal Adesanya and Paulo Costa, with the UFC middleweight title as the prize will be coming to our screens on Sunday, September 27.
Adesanya is confident of an easy victory over the physically imposing Brazilian as the Nigerian-born star prepares to defend his title this weekend at Yas Fight Island, Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates.
‘The Last Stylebender’, as Adesanya is fondly called, first won the title last October by defeating Robert Whittaker in Melbourne. He then managed to overcome Yoel Romero in March earlier this year at Las Vegas in what was his first title defence.
“All I see, it’s gonna be an early finish for me or it’s gonna be a late finish for me, like fourth round,” Adesanya boasted ahead his clash with Costa.
“But I see myself taking him out early because he’s gonna be overconfident thinking he can just walk through my shots, same way like a lotta other guys have. They think ‘I don’t see no pop in his punches, he doesn’t have any power, he’s too skinny.”
He has agreed to place his middleweight tag at stake as he takes on Paulo Costa in what has grown into a grudge match.
Adesanya is 19-0 in his career and 8-0 at the Octagon, with all eight UFC successes coming since February 2018. Costa has a 13-0 record and also is a really huge guy for the 185-pound branch. He’s won a remarkable 11 of his 13 career fights by knockout.
In other news, the UFC light heavyweight championship will feature neither of regular stars Jon Jones or Daniel Cormier for the first time since May 2010.
As Jones had vacated the belt last month – presumably to take steps up to heavyweight – Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz will be the ones to slug it out for the title in the 205-pound category.
What time is UFC 253?
The early prelims will begin at around 12 noon with the heavyweight fight between Juan Espino and Jeff Hughes while the preliminary card will shortly after by 1am .
Expect Adesanya and Costa to fight at 3am (Nigerian time).
What Location is UFC 253?
We’re heading back to Yas Island (also known as Fight Island), Abu Dhabi, with UFC 253 being the first of five events to be held during return of UFC to the Emirates.
Who do you think is going to win this match between Israel and Costa? Do you see any of the fighters possibly winning by knockout? Visit our our page and bet on MMA.