Adesanya, Costa exchange the usual unpleasantries
Israel Adesanya is not expecting Paulo Costa to spring any surprises when the UFC middleweight champion puts his belt on the line later this month, simply because Costa doesn’t have the smarts to.
The last time ‘The Last Stylebender’ was in the octagon, against Yoel Romero in March, he and everyone else watching was left frustrated by the Cuban’s passive tactics.
Romero basically stood in the centre of the cage and refused to go on the attack until he spotted an opening, which never eventuated as Adesanya quickly worked him out to claim a unanimous decision.
Like Romero, Costa (13-0) is known for his brute strength and one-punch knockout power, with all but two of his 13 victories coming inside the distance.
But while Adesanya (19-0) actually gave credit to Romero as he spoke to media yesterday for trying something different, he believes with Costa what you see is exactly what you get.
‘‘He’s too dumb,’’ the Kiwi star said. ‘‘He’s perfect for me. He’s going to come forward swinging like a buffoon and I’m going to clown him.’’
Adesanya and Costa headline UFC 253 on September 27 (NZ time). The stacked card, which includes City Kickboxing team-mates Kai Kara-France, Brad Riddell and Shane Young, is set to kick off the UFC’s return to ‘Fight Island’ in Abu Dhabi, although that has yet to be made official.
With two undefeated, entertaining yet contrasting strikers squaring off for UFC gold, the fight basically sells itself. But the pair have played their part after building a heated rivalry over several months.
While Adesanya has enjoyed ‘‘poking fun at the bear’’, he came across quite relaxed when discussing his opponent. However, he couldn’t help himself when asked about the doping questions that have followed the Brazilian.
‘‘I’ve said this about Costa, I’m going to pop him before USADA does and I plan on doing just that.’’
Adesanya is wary of Costa’s power but doesn’t believe he is treating his skillset with the same respect.
‘‘He’s a dangerous man, but so am I,’’ Adesanya said. ‘‘And what’s going to be his downfall is his lacklusterness when it comes to me.
‘‘He thinks he’s just going to walk through whatever I throw at him. All right, I welcome him to try.’’
While both are at home on their feet, the matchup pits Adesanya’s technical striking and fluid movement against the power of Costa, who has more of a brawling style.
Costa, who is also coming in off a decision win over Romero12 months ago, is making his first appearance in a fiveround fight. But he didn’t mince his words as he predicted a finish inside the third.
‘‘I’m not going to win by one point. I’m going to destroy him,’’ Costa said. ‘‘I don’t care if the judges give a round to him because I’m not going to take this fight by decision. I’m training to destroy him.’’
If his coach Eric Albarracin’s comments are anything to go by, it appears Costa may try to take the fight to the ground at some stage.
It’s a tactic many of Adesanya’s previous opponents have tried and failed. But Albarracin was adamant this time will prove different.
‘‘I hope his wrestling is really good because we’re coming to take him down and finish him,’’ he said.
Responding to the doping jibe, Albarracin added: ‘‘Everybody wants to know what ‘The Eraser’s’ on and I can tell you. He’s on the mat six days a week, six hours a day, training his a... off.
‘‘And now Israel has to worry about him being on his legs because we’re going to take him down and pound him out.’’