Paulo Costa Takes More Verbal Shots at Israel Adesanya, Following Pivotal Win

Paulo Costa believes Israel Adesanya will come up short in his fight with middleweight champ, Robert Whittaker. But, if the rising middleweight contender ends up facing “The Last Stylebender”, Costa continues to insist that he’ll destroy the vaunted striker.

Costa’s crucial win over Romero at UFC 241

Costa finally threw hands with fellow contender, Yoel Romero on Saturday night, and he emerged from the bout with the win. While it was a very competitive and wildly entertaining war, as many predicted, Costa walked away from the bout with the unanimous decision victory.

Since Romero was ranked #2 in the 185 division, prior to the event, the #7 positioned Costa has likely locked up a title shot with the win. Especially since the #3 ranked Kelvin Gastelum is coming off a loss to Adesanya, this past April.

Costa’s not impressed with “The Last Stylebender”

With Adesanya’s aforementioned win over Gastelum at UFC 236, the star secured the interim belt and an October 5th fight with the champ, Whittaker. Since Costa is now knocking on the title shot door, and because he’s traded verbal shots with Adesanya in the past, of course, he was asked to weigh-in on the upcoming bout. Here’s some of what “Borrachinha” had to say (quotes via MMA Fighting):

“I think that both are looking to me, scared,” Costa said. “Because both guys know now they have a very, very tough guy looking for them. I think Whittaker will beat Adesanya, but I beat Romero.

“For me, Romero won against Robert Whittaker, but if Adesanya won, takes the belt, man I can kill that guy. He’s very skinny, he does not have a chance against me.”

“Because Adesanya talks sh-t about me too,” Costa said, while discussing his issues with Adesanya. “After my last fight against Uriah Hall in 2018, he asked me to fight against him and he say, ‘I can beat this—he say I have dinosaur arms.’ So it’s personal.”

Adesanya has heard this argument – that he’s too small for 185 – before. But, when you consider this is  man who says he wants to fight Jon Jones, obviously Adesanya disagrees.

Now it remains to be seen what happens at UFC 243, and who emerges with the unified, middleweight crown. Even if it is Whittaker, chances are Costa and Adesanya will cross paths in the Octagon at some juncture. Adesanya is only 30 year’s-old and Costa is 28.

UFC 243 will be hosted by the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.