Israel Adesanya picks apart Paulo Costa for TKO finish

The second stint of “Fight Island” kicks off with UFC 253 tonight, Saturday, Sept. 26.

Headlining the pay-per-view event is a battle of undefeated fighters in UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya and the surging Paulo Costa. 

Adesanya second title defense comes after an uneventful unanimous decision nod against Yoel Romero at UFC 248 back in March. “The Last Stylebender” captured the title less than a year ago, knocking out then-champion Robert Whittaker in the second round at UFC 243 this past October. 

He is currently unbeaten at 19-0. 

Costa has dominated his way to a UFC title shot after just five appearances inside the octagon. He most recently beat Yoel Romer via unanimous decision at UFC 241 in August 2019. 

His most recent win came after four-straight TKO victories against Uriah Hall, Johny Hendricks, Oluwale Bamgbose and Garreth McLellan. The 29-year-old is a perfect 13-0. 

Here is how the middleweight championship bout between champion Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa went down at UFC 253, including round-by-round scoring. For full results of the event, check them out right here.

ROUND 1

Adesanya and Costa don’t tap gloves. What a surprise. Costa goes right to the center. Adesanya starts with a leg kick. Adesanya is active with leg attacks early. Costa stays center. Costa misses with a kick to the body. Costa lands a leg kick. Adesanya with another leg kick, Costa’s lead leg is showing some redness already. Cotsa with a kick to the body. Adesanya lands another leg kick and another. Costa puts his hands behind his back to taunt Adesanya. Adesanya lands an inside leg kick. Both men taunting each other. Adesanya with a jab. Adesanya goes to the body with a kick. Costa trying to close the distance, but Adesanya landing punches from the outside.

MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 for Adesanya

ROUND 2

Both waiting for an opening. Adesanya lands a leg kick again. Adesanya pops the jab. Adesanya lands another kick to the lead leg of Costa. Costa puts together two leg kicks of his own. Adesanya is tearing up the leg of Costa. Costa’s lead leg is showing damage, redness all over. Adesanya working from the outside. Adesanya lands a kick to the body, then switches stances and lands a left hand. Costa takes another leg kick from Adesanya. Adesanya faints and lands another leg kick. Adesanya punishing Costa with a jab as Costa tries to close the distance. Costa has a cut above his right eye. Adesanya lands left hook that drops Costa. Adesanya falls right into full mount and finishes Costa

Official result: Israel Adesanya def. Paulo Costa via TKO at 3:59 in round 2. 

TOO EASY.

👑 @Stylebender is the undefeated king of the middleweights.

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— UFC (@ufc) September 27, 2020

Connor Northrup

Connor Northrup once covered municipal meetings and promised himself never again. He is now combining his passion for Mixed Martial Arts and reporting all into one.

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