A long-awaited battle is here. The middleweight title grudge match between current champion, Israel Adesanya and top contender, Paulo Costa is here.
The last time we saw Adesanya in the Octagon was at one of the UFC’s last fights before the coronavirus pandemic saw all sport brought to a grinding halt. In this appearance, the young Kiwi successfully defended his belt against Yoel Romero, beating the legend of the sport by unanimous decision. The win moved Adesanya’s pro record to an impressive 19-0.
However, waiting in the wings and with an impressive undefeated record, is Paulo Costa. Earning a title through defeating Romero, Uriah Hall and Johny Hendricks to name just a few.
In what what would’ve been a fight earlier in the year, the showdown was delayed through injury with Costa requiring shoulder surgery after his win over interim title challenger, Romero.
Dana White hasn’t been shy of promoting the fight as a potential ‘fight of the year’ contender.
“I don’t know what you guys think, but I predict that’s ‘Fight of the Year,'” White told reporters, after UFC 252 on Saturday.
“I think stylistically, it’s the perfect fight. If you look at the way Costa fights, he puts pressure on you, he stays in your face the whole time. Adesanya likes to stay on the outside and pick you apart.
“I think that fight is going to be an absolute war. Just stylistically, it matches up really, really well, and both guys are animals. Both guys want this fight really bad, and I think it’s going to be ‘Fight of the Year.'”
No matter what the outcome, bad blood has alright been brewing between the two, adding tension and excitement around the upcoming bout. With Costa stating he won’t shake the hand of Adesanya at the end of the fight, regardless of whether he takes the belt.
In the undercard, Claudio Gadelha and Yan Xiaonan go head to head in the women’s strawweight category while Hakeem Dawodu and Zubaira Tukhugov battle it out in the featherweight division.
It’ll be one to watch, grab your mates and head to the pub to catch all the action.
MAIN CARD
Middleweight Title Bout
Israel Adesanya vs Paulo Costa
UNDER CARD
Women’s Strawweight Bout
Claudia Gadelha vs Yan Ziaonan
Featherweight Bout
Hekeem Dawodu vs Zubaira Tukhugov
Flyweight Bout
Kai Kara France vs Brandon Royval