Israel Adesanya News

Israel Adesanya
Paulo Costa

UFC 253: ‘Adesanya vs Costa’ Fight Card and Start Times

Harry Kettle - September 25, 2020

The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to Fight Island this weekend for UFC 253, headlined by a mammoth Middleweight Championship showdown between Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa. Event: UFC 253: Adesanya vs. Costa Date: Saturday, 26th September 2020 Location: Flash Forum, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Broadcast: ESPN2, ESPN+ PPV (7pm/8pm/10pm EST)

UFC-253-Poster
Paulo Costa

Full betting odds released for UFC 253: Adesanya vs. Costa

Adam Martin - September 24, 2020

The full betting odds have been released for the 11 fights scheduled to take place Saturday’s UFC 253: Adesanya vs. Costa event. In the main event, UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya puts his title on the line against the undefeated contender from Brazil Paulo Costa. Adesanya is a perfect 8-0 in the UFC and Costa is 5-0 himself, so this a dream fight between two of the best middlweights in the sport in the prime of their careers who are unbeaten in the UFC.

Israel Adesanya, Paulo osta
Paulo Costa

Video | Israel Adesanya, Paulo Costa square off on Fight Island

Tom Taylor - September 24, 2020

On Saturday night, in the main event of UFC 253, UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya will attempt to defend his title against his fiercest challenger yet, Paulo Costa. On Wednesday, Adesanya and Costa came face-to-face for a pre-fight staredown, and as expected, it was quite tense. See it below:

Paulo Costa
Paulo Costa

Paulo Costa surprised by Israel Adesanya’s “kind” and “gentle” demeanor during recent Fight Island run-in

Harry Kettle - September 24, 2020

UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa was surprised by Israel Adesanya’s kind and gentle approach to their run-in on Fight Island. The two men are set to battle it out for the UFC Middleweight Championship at UFC 253 this weekend in one of the most highly anticipated fights of the year so far. Before they step into the Octagon and go to war, though, they also bumped into one another after they both arrived in Abu Dhabi for the event.

Israel Adesanya
Paulo Costa

Israel Adesanya believes "people are gonna be shocked" by how "easy" he will beat Paulo Costa

Cole Shelton - September 23, 2020

Israel Adesanya expects to beat Paulo Costa rather easily to defend his belt on Saturday night. In the main event of UFC 253, Adesanya and Costa will finally meet after months of trash-talking. They are both undefeted and many pundits expect the fight to be competitve. Yet, for “The Last Stylebender” he disagrees with that and believes it will be rather easy for him to dispose of the Brazilian.

Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker
Israel Adesanya

Israel Adesanya and other Black UFC athletes respond to Colby Covington's "racist" comments

Christopher Taylor - September 23, 2020

Israel Adesanya and other notable Black UFC athletes have fired back at welterweight fighter Colby Covington for his recent controversial remarks. Prior to his grudge match with bitter rival Tyron Woodley this past weekend, ‘Chaos’ made headlines when he suggested that ‘T-Wood’ was a “domestic terrorist sympathizer” for his support of Black Lives Matter.

Israel Adesanya, Paulo Costa
Israel Adesanya

UFC 253 | Pro fighters make their picks for Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa title fight

Cole Shelton - September 23, 2020

In the main event of UFC 253, Israel Adesanya is looking for his second title defense when he battles Paulo Costa. Heading into the fight, Adesanya is a -185 favorite while the Brazilian challenger is a +150 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The majority believe it will be Adesanya using his technical striking to piece up Costa and defending his belt.

Israel Adesanya, UFC 243, Dan Hooker
UFC

Israel Adesanya: UFC 253 foe Paulo Costa is "tailor-made for me"

Tom Taylor - September 22, 2020

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya believes his UFC 253 opponent Paulo Costa is a “tailor-made” opponent for him. Adesanya gave one of his more recent breakdowns of this matchup in an interview with Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports. He shared his belief that Costa’s aggressive, forward-marching style will play perfectly into his hands.

Israel Adesanya, Paulo Costa
Paulo Costa

Video | Israel Adesanya, Paulo Costa meet on Fight Island

Adam D Martin - September 20, 2020

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and rival Paulo Costa met each other on Fight Island before their fight next weekend at UFC 253. Adesanya and Costa finally meet in the main event of UFC 253 on Fight Island. It’s one of the biggest fights of the year on paper and UFC president Dana White has even said it’s his personal choice for 2020 “Fight of the Year.” Adesanya and Costa do not like each other and this should be the ultimate grudge match between the two men.

Israel Adesanya
UFC

Israel Adesanya becomes first MMA fighter to be sponsored by Puma

Adam Martin - September 17, 2020

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has become the first MMA fighter to be sponsored by the athletic apparel company Puma. Adesanya is one of the biggest names in the world of MMA and is one of the best fighters on the planet right now. He recently became a cover athlete for the EA Sports UFC 4 video game and at UFC 253 next Saturday on Fight Island, Adesanya takes on rival Paulo Costa for the UFC middleweight title. It’s a good time to be Adesanya, and the good times keep continuing as he has now signed a lucrative deal with Puma.

Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker
Paulo Costa

Israel Adesanya claims UFC 253 opponent Paulo Costa is the dirtiest fighter in MMA

Adam Martin - September 17, 2020

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya says that his upcoming opponent at UFC 253, Paulo Costa, is the dirtiest fighter in MMA. Adesanya and Costa do not like each other and next Saturday at UFC 253 on Fight Island both men will finally get the chance to rip each other’s head off when they square off in the main event for the UFC middleweight title. The two rivals have been connected to a fight for the better part of a year now and UFC 253 is expected to be a massive event for the promotion, with UFC president Dana White calling it “Fight of the Year.”

Israel Adesanya, Kobe Bryant
Jon Jones

Israel Adesanya says a fight with Jon Jones is still a part of his plan despite ‘Bones’ move to heavyweight

Harry Kettle - September 11, 2020

Israel Adesanya believes a fight against Jon Jones is still on the cards in the future despite “Bones” moving up to heavyweight. Adesanya is currently busy preparing for his huge Middleweight Championship fight against Paulo Costa at the end of the month, but that doesn’t mean people have forgotten about the months of back and forth jabs between the champion and UFC legend Jon Jones.

Israel Adesanya, UFC, Black Lives Matter
Paulo Costa

Israel Adesanya addresses video of Paulo Costa beating up a fake 'Stylebender'

Christopher Taylor - September 10, 2020

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has addressed the recent video released by his soon to be opponent Paulo Costa. Earlier this week the undefeated Brazilian took to social media where he shared a video of him beating up a ‘Stylebender’ impersonator.

Israel Adesanya, UFC 248, Dominick Reyes
UFC

Israel Adesanya says "Fans as individuals can be awesome, but as a whole they are meek and stupid sometimes"

Christopher Taylor - September 10, 2020

Undefeated UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya shared his thoughts on NFL fans decision to boo a moment of unity before tonight’s Chiefs vs. Texans game. Prior to tonight’s official kickoff, players from both Kansas City and Houston gathered together in arms, but their act was not appreciated by all of those in attendance.

Paulo Costa
Paulo Costa

Video | Paulo Costa flaunts his physique ahead of UFC 253 title fight with Israel Adesanya

Christopher Taylor - September 10, 2020

The most anticipated middleweight title fight in UFC history will take place later this month when Paulo Costa challenges Israel Adesanya on September 26. Both men will enter the UFC 253 headliner sporting perfect professional records and thus someone’s zero will have to go.

Israel Adesanya, Paulo Costa, Stephen Thompson
Paulo Costa

Stephen Thompson: Costa not a technical striker "at all" Adesanya will "have a field day"

Tom Taylor - September 10, 2020

Stephen Thompson believes UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya will “have a field day” when he takes on hulking knockout artist Paulo Costa. Adesanya and Costa will collide for the UFC middleweight title in the main event of UFC 253 on September 26. Thompson, a striking specialist himself, believes the kickboxing transplant Adesanya will go to work on the powerful Costa when the cage door closes.

Paulo Costa
Paulo Costa

Video | Paulo Costa chases down, beats up Israel Adesanya impersonator

Tom Taylor - September 7, 2020

Paulo Costa has brought in a tall, rangy Muay Thai specialist to help him prepare for his upcoming fight with UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. While this will no doubt be a fruitful move in terms of preparation for the fight, which headlines the UFC 253 card on September 26, it’s also provided an opportunity for a bit of fun in the gym.

Israel Adesanya, UFC 243, Dan Hooker
Paulo Costa

Israel Adesanya reveals simple strategy for Paulo Costa fight

Tom Taylor - September 4, 2020

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has a very simple strategy for his UFC 253 title defense against Paulo Costa: hit him until he falls. Adesanya was asked about his plans for the fight, which headlines the September 26th UFC 253 card, in an interview with SCMP MMA.