After weeks of being told that the match is happening and months of buildup between Paulo Costa and Israel Adesanya fans have finally gotten a definite date for the UFC Middleweight Championship fight. The champion Israel Adesanya will make his second career defense against the Brazilian Paulo Costa at UFC 253 on September 19. ESPN’s Ariel Helwani confirmed the news, which was first reported by Combate.
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Israel Adesanya will defend his 185-pound title versus Paulo Costa on Sept. 19, @arielhelwani confirmed, first reported by Combate. @espnmma
The blockbuster reveal comes just a day after UFC President Dana White said that they’re gonna fight. His comments came in response to ‘Borrachinha’ being unhappy with ‘The Last Stylebender’ for delaying the clash.
“You Will Lose the Belt!”-Paulo Costa Not Happy with Israel Adesanya Delaying Match-up
Paulo Costa can’t wait to face Israel Adesanya
The news will no doubt enthuse the Brazilian. He has been urging the champion to show up for the entire last month. In this regard, he Tweeted, “The fight is on folks! In September I ll bring the Show up”
The fight is on folks! In September I ll bring the Show up
The 2nd ranked UFC Middleweight contender is undefeated as a professional in over 7 years. He has a 13-0 record and has claimed wins over Johny Hendricks and Uriah Hall. Furthermore, he beat Yoel Romero to earn a title shot. However, due to injury, he withdrew, and ‘Soldier of God’ replaced him at UFC 248.
Most fans remember this event for the Champion sitting atop the cage and giving ‘Borrachinha’ the finger. In response, he unsuccessfully tried to leap and get his hands on ‘The Last Stylebender.’
As of this moment, the location for the PPV is not official. However, fans can assume that the duo will fight at the UFC Apex as per Lawrence Epstein who said to Sports Business, that the company will return to the facility for 9 straight events following Fight Island.
Earlier, a Lightweight unification bout too was tentatively set to be part of the event. However, in the wake of a personal tragedy in the Nurmagomedov family, Dana White has said that they are not messing with Khabib.
The UFC has secured one Championship fight, and given the stats of the 2 fighters, fans can be assured that they are in for a back and forth treat.
Who do you see emerging victorious from this scrap and handing the other their first professional defeat?
