During UFC 253 virtual media day, Thursday, Paulo Costa (13-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) told media that he is training to destroy Israel Adesanya (19-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC), and predicted that he doesn’t see his opponent lasting past the third round.
Here’s what Costa predicted in his own words.
“I’m not going to win by one point or an advantage, I’m going to destroy him,” said Costa during virtual media day. “I don’t care if the judges score some rounds for him because I’m not going to win this fight by decision. I’m training to destroy him, and I believe the fight can’t be said that he lost by decision because it needs to be clear. That’s what I do, I go to finish the fight and to not let the judges decide. I go to destroy him, that’s what I do. I’m training to do that.”
“I don’t believe he will be there past the third round,” he added. “I will finish the fight with ground and pound. I will take him down. I will finish the fight with striking, but he will not get past the third round.”
This is the first undefeated title fight since Rashad Evans vs. Lyoto Machida back in 2009, where the two legends fought for the light heavyweight championship.
UFC 253 will be held on Sat., Sept. 26, in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, United Emirates. Also known as “Fight Island,” where Paulo “The Eraser” Costa will look to dethrone reigning middleweight champ, Isreal Adesanya, in their five round main event.
Source: MMA Fighting
