Adesanya stuns Brazilian
After a surprisingly quiet display in his last fight, Israel Adesanya is back doing what he does best – putting on a show.
The Nigerian-Kiwi sensation defended his middleweight crown in emphatic fashion at UFC 253 yesterday with second-round TKO of bitter Brazilian rival Paulo Costa in Abu Dhabi.
After repeatedly attacking Costa’s lead leg for the majority of the fight, Adesanya dropped him with a left hook to the temple before raining down hammer fists to finish the fight 3:59 into the second round.
‘The Last Stylebender’ was criticised for a lack of action in his previous victory over Yoel Romero in March. But in just the second men’s title fight in UFC history to feature two undefeated fighters, he delivered the perfect response, confirming his status as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the promotion.
‘‘Like Roy Jones Jr’ said, ya’ll must’ve forgot, ya’ll must’ve forgot,’’ Adesanya said in post-fight interview inside the octagon.
‘‘Because of what happened last time you thought, ‘he’s so boring, blah, blah, blah, blah’. And I see you media people as well with your
little clickbait headlines.
‘‘But trust me, I had to make ya’ll remember and I had to remind the world why. We the best!’’
The result completed a mixed
day for Kiwis at Fight Island.
Three of Adesanya’s City Kickboxing team-mate were also on the card, but only lightweight Brad Riddell was able to join him
in the winner’s circle.
Riddell shrugged off a slow start to beat Alex da Silva via unanimous decision. After an explosive opening round, seventh-ranked fly
weight Kai Kara-France was submitted in the second by No 9 Brandon Royval, while featherweight Shane Young was stopped in the first round by Ludovit Klein.