UFC 253 results, highlights: Israel Adesanya picks apart Paulo Costa

Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa spent months trading verbal photographs, however when it got here time to step into the Octagon at UFC 253, the one significant blows that landed had been these of middleweight champion. After spending a full spherical beating up Costa’s lead leg, Adesanya completed the challenger with punches within the second spherical of the principle occasion on Struggle Island in Abu Dhabi.

Adesanya’s technique was obvious early as he saved distance and unloaded with kicks to Costa’s lead leg, alternating between kicks to the surface and stomp kicks to the knee UFC 253. As Israel Adesanya landed, Paulo Costa would reply with taunts earlier than making an attempt to chop off the cage. However Adesanya’s footwork was on-point, permitting him to slip away from any hazard earlier than resuming his leg assaults.

Paulo Costa regarded to show issues up in Spherical 2, making an attempt to strain a bit extra, however Adesanya continued to keep away from the exchanges and started to combine in strikes to the top. A head kick from Adesanya opened a minimize above Costa’s eye, and immediately the challenger’s taunts stopped as he started to maneuver backward.

As Costa lastly received his want and the 2 started to alternate in shut quarters, Adesanya landed a glancing blow off Costa’s temple, sending him tumbling to the canvas. Adesanya wasted no time following Costa to the bottom, unleashing a brutal flurry of strikes and forcing the referee to name a halt to the motion on the 3:59 mark of Spherical 2.

TOO EASY.

👑 @Stylebender is the undefeated king of the middleweights.

[ #UFC253 | #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/lz5C9DsDN7

— UFC (@ufc) September 27, 2020

“I have been telling you guys, however everybody thinks … like Roy Jones mentioned, ‘Y’all should have forgot’ due to what occurred final time,” Adesanya mentioned after his win. “I needed to remind the world who’s the perfect.”

With the victory, Israel Adesanya improved to 20-Zero and dispatched a person many felt was his hardest challenger within the division. With choices for contemporary challenges dwindling after simply two title defenses, Adesanya mentioned he had already notified the person who might be subsequent up of the chance forward.

“I already DMed Jared Cannonier,” Adesanya mentioned. “He is a fantastic dude, I like his vitality. I mentioned, ‘You beat Robert Whittaker and also you‘re subsequent.’ If he beats Robert Whittaker, he is subsequent.”

CBS Sports activities was with you all night bringing you outcomes and evaluation from UFC 253 on Struggle Island.

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – SEPTEMBER 27: (R-L) Israel Adesanya of Nigeria kicks Paulo Costa of Brazil in their middleweight championship bout during UFC 253 inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on September 27, 2020 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)

“I am actually doing this s*** for actual, for legacy.” – @Stylebender discusses his #UFC253 TKO victory over Paulo Costa, their beef and including to his legacy 🔊⬆️ #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi#UFC253 Ultimate Outcomes: https://t.co/YTFk4UiiBg pic.twitter.com/ftGu7r7zgN

— UFC Information (@UFCNews) September 27, 2020

Heading residence with the strap and an additional 50Okay 💰

[ B2YB @P3Protein ] pic.twitter.com/y3R49JF0WL

— UFC (@ufc) September 27, 2020

@stylebender regarded nice tonight #UFC253

— Johnny Muñoz (@KidKvenbo) September 27, 2020

EPIC.

The occasion is underway for City Kickboxing 🎉

[ #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/F35gMBiICU

— UFC (@ufc) September 27, 2020

EPIC.

The occasion is underway for Metropolis Kickboxing 🎉

[ #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/F35gMBiICU

— UFC (@ufc) September 27, 2020

What extra may be mentioned!

🏆 @Stylebender reigns over all at 185.

[ B2YB @P3Protein ] #UFC253 pic.twitter.com/LzyU7KvVw5

— UFC (@ufc) September 27, 2020

Adesanya has a message for the haters 🤐 #UFC253 pic.twitter.com/0UvQ1iprjd

— UFC (@ufc) September 27, 2020

The undisputed king!@Stylebender is untouchable at middleweight 🏆

[ #UFC253 | #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/vyhCK9i1ei

— UFC (@ufc) September 27, 2020

The celebration has begun for @Stylebender 🏆#UFC253 pic.twitter.com/VCEzBfRwZo

— UFC (@ufc) September 27, 2020

TOO EASY.

👑 @Stylebender is the undefeated king of the middleweights.

[ #UFC253 | #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/lz5C9DsDN7

— UFC (@ufc) September 27, 2020

“Romero.” 😅

Adesanya & Costa pose for fast sec in RD 1.

[ #UFC253 | #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/bLHPQFRvE5

— UFC (@ufc) September 27, 2020