Israel Adesanya fires back at Paulo Costa after post-fight comments
Shortly after Israel Adesanya captured the UFC interim middleweight title by defeating Kelvin Gastelum in the UFC 236 co-main event, he found himself on the receiving end of a social media attack from one of his primary rivals, fellow undefeated middleweight Paulo Costa.
“Really this is the interim (fake) champ? Hahah .
No doubt this weight division has already been better than this shit.
Enjoy this while you can man, I really hope that you take the real belt one day to meet me. Note: And I’m not the Gastelum.” – Paulo Costa on Instagram.
Speaking on The MMA Hour on Monday, Israel Adesanya responded to this comment from his Brazilian rival. He believes Costa is just jealous, and assured they’ll settle their differences in the cage if the Brazilian can continue to rise up the ranks.
“Hold up, fake champ? Does he have a belt? He wishes he was the ‘fake’ champ as well,” Adesanya said (transcript via MMA News). “First of all, didn’t he get popped for something recently for some acai in his stomach or something? I just wanna get him before USADA gets him. And eventually if he climbs up the ranks like he thinks he will, eventually we’ll see each other so he can find out. Gastelum’s a tough guy. He [Costa] got touched up after the Uriah [Hall] fight. … A guy like that’s just salty. He’s just salty cause I’m the one getting the shine. They’re trying to steal my shine and I’m like, ‘f*ck no.’”
What do you make of the ongoing beef between Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa?
This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 4/17/2019.
Topics:
Israel Adesanya Paulo Costa UFC
