UFC 253: Adesanya retains belt against Paulo Costa

If UFC is banking on one superstar to fill the void left by fighters like Conor McGregor, Jon Jones, or GSP then they are definitely banking on Israel Adesanya. The 31-year-old fighter from New Zealand has been on a tear since debuting in UFC in 2018. The hype train was put behind Adesanya after his first two fights. Where others failed to justify the hype, Adesanya succeeded. In just two years’ time, Adesanya has gone from a newcomer to a champion with two title defences.

Israel Adesanya again defended the title against the unbeaten Paulo Costa at UFC 253 in Abu Dhabi. There was bad blood between the two undefeated fighters as they exchanged ‘pleasantries’ at every opportunity they got. But when it came to the Octagon, there was only one winner. Adesanya (20-0) walked the talk and outclassed Costa (13-1) at UFC Fight Island.

There was no competition for the Kiwi as he chomped on Costa’s leg throughout the first round and the Brazilian did not have any answer for it. Costa tried to goad Adesanya into reckless abandonment but to no avail. Adesanya picked his spots to perfection and when the right moment came, he knocked Costa to the mat with a right punch. Some ground and pound and the referee waived off the fight in Adesanya’s favour. As ‘Izzy’ as it gets.

The win was the ninth straight in the UFC for Adesanya, the Nigeria-born, New Zealand-based phenomenon who has soared to prominence in mixed martial arts over the past three years.

In UFC 253’s co-main event, the 37year-old Jan Blachowicz (27-8) capped his late-career surge by winning his first UFC title.