Israel Adesanya News

Israel Adesanya, UFC 248, Dominick Reyes
Khamzat Chimaev

Israel Adesanya responds to callouts from "rat lip" Khamzat Chimaev

Tom Taylor - September 22, 2020

Reigning UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is not riding the Khamzat Chimaev hype train. Far from it. Chimaev was the breakout UFC star of the summer. The Chechen-Swede first picked up two wins in the span of 10 days on Fight Island in July, defeating John Phillips by first-round submission and Rhys McKee by first-round TKO, then picked up his third win of the season when he knocked out Gerald Meerschaert at UFC Vegas 11, also in the first round.

Israel Adesanya, Paulo Costa
Paulo Costa

Video | Israel Adesanya, Paulo Costa meet on Fight Island

Adam D Martin - September 20, 2020

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and rival Paulo Costa met each other on Fight Island before their fight next weekend at UFC 253. Adesanya and Costa finally meet in the main event of UFC 253 on Fight Island. It’s one of the biggest fights of the year on paper and UFC president Dana White has even said it’s his personal choice for 2020 “Fight of the Year.” Adesanya and Costa do not like each other and this should be the ultimate grudge match between the two men.

Israel Adesanya
UFC

Israel Adesanya becomes first MMA fighter to be sponsored by Puma

Adam Martin - September 17, 2020

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has become the first MMA fighter to be sponsored by the athletic apparel company Puma. Adesanya is one of the biggest names in the world of MMA and is one of the best fighters on the planet right now. He recently became a cover athlete for the EA Sports UFC 4 video game and at UFC 253 next Saturday on Fight Island, Adesanya takes on rival Paulo Costa for the UFC middleweight title. It’s a good time to be Adesanya, and the good times keep continuing as he has now signed a lucrative deal with Puma.

Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker
Paulo Costa

Israel Adesanya claims UFC 253 opponent Paulo Costa is the dirtiest fighter in MMA

Adam Martin - September 17, 2020

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya says that his upcoming opponent at UFC 253, Paulo Costa, is the dirtiest fighter in MMA. Adesanya and Costa do not like each other and next Saturday at UFC 253 on Fight Island both men will finally get the chance to rip each other’s head off when they square off in the main event for the UFC middleweight title. The two rivals have been connected to a fight for the better part of a year now and UFC 253 is expected to be a massive event for the promotion, with UFC president Dana White calling it “Fight of the Year.”

Paulo Costa
Paulo Costa

Paulo Costa reportedly has to cut 25 pounds in the next two weeks for UFC 253 fight with Israel Adesanya

Natasha Hooper - September 11, 2020

Paulo Costa reportedly needs to drop a significant 25 pounds in the next two weeks ahead of his title fight against Israel Adesanya. The Brazilian athlete is set to face off against the middleweight champion at UFC 253 on Fight Island on September 26. However, the six-foot-tall Costa currently stands at 210 pounds, meaning he has just weeks to shed the additional weight and make the 185-pound limit for middleweight title fights.

Israel Adesanya, UFC, Black Lives Matter
Paulo Costa

Israel Adesanya addresses video of Paulo Costa beating up a fake 'Stylebender'

Christopher Taylor - September 10, 2020

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has addressed the recent video released by his soon to be opponent Paulo Costa. Earlier this week the undefeated Brazilian took to social media where he shared a video of him beating up a ‘Stylebender’ impersonator.

Israel Adesanya, UFC 248, Dominick Reyes
UFC

Israel Adesanya says "Fans as individuals can be awesome, but as a whole they are meek and stupid sometimes"

Christopher Taylor - September 10, 2020

Undefeated UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya shared his thoughts on NFL fans decision to boo a moment of unity before tonight’s Chiefs vs. Texans game. Prior to tonight’s official kickoff, players from both Kansas City and Houston gathered together in arms, but their act was not appreciated by all of those in attendance.

Paulo Costa
Paulo Costa

Video | Paulo Costa flaunts his physique ahead of UFC 253 title fight with Israel Adesanya

Christopher Taylor - September 10, 2020

The most anticipated middleweight title fight in UFC history will take place later this month when Paulo Costa challenges Israel Adesanya on September 26. Both men will enter the UFC 253 headliner sporting perfect professional records and thus someone’s zero will have to go.

Paulo Costa
Paulo Costa

Paulo Costa doesn't want to beat Israel Adesanya quickly

Tom Taylor - September 10, 2020

Paulo Costa hopes to put a bit of a hurting on UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya when they step into the cage together at UFC 253. Once he’s done that—and sufficiently entertained the fans—he intends to put a stamp on things with yet another stoppage win.

Paulo Costa
Paulo Costa

Video | Paulo Costa chases down, beats up Israel Adesanya impersonator

Tom Taylor - September 7, 2020

Paulo Costa has brought in a tall, rangy Muay Thai specialist to help him prepare for his upcoming fight with UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. While this will no doubt be a fruitful move in terms of preparation for the fight, which headlines the UFC 253 card on September 26, it’s also provided an opportunity for a bit of fun in the gym.

Israel Adesanya, UFC 243, Dan Hooker
Paulo Costa

Israel Adesanya reveals simple strategy for Paulo Costa fight

Tom Taylor - September 4, 2020

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has a very simple strategy for his UFC 253 title defense against Paulo Costa: hit him until he falls. Adesanya was asked about his plans for the fight, which headlines the September 26th UFC 253 card, in an interview with SCMP MMA.

Israel Adesanya, UFC 243, Dan Hooker
Paulo Costa

Israel Adesanya shares an interesting theory regarding power punchers

Natasha Hooper - September 4, 2020

Israel Adesanya has his own theory on power punchers. The middleweight champion is set to defend his title for a second time in the main event of UFC 253 on Saturday, September 26. He will be facing off against Paulo Costa, who is currently undefeated and is known for being able to finish his opponents with his punching power. “Borrachinha” has finished a whopping nine out of 13 fights via knockout punches.

Israel Adesanya, Kobe Bryant
UFC

Israel Adesanya throws support behind NBA players during boycott

Tom Taylor - August 28, 2020

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has thrown his support behind the NBA players currently boycotting games in an act of protest against police brutality. Last Sunday, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, a black man named Jacob Blake was gunned down by police officers. The incident was captured on video, and sparked outrage at the national and international levels.

Israel Adesanya, UFC 243, Dan Hooker
Paulo Costa

Israel Adesanya confident he's already under Paulo Costa's skin

Tom Taylor - August 25, 2020

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya believes he’s already under the skin of his next challenger, Brazilian knockout artist Paulo Costa. Adesanya and Costa, who will square off in the main event of UFC 253 on September 26, have been exchanging ceaseless trash talk for months. Their most skirmish occurred during a joint appearance on ESPN’s SportsCenter, during which their mutual animus seemed to reach a new levels of intensity.

Israel Adesanya
Paulo Costa

Israel Adesanya questions if USADA is testing Paulo Costa ahead of UFC 253: "Where is your t-shirt?"

Cole Shelton - August 24, 2020

Israel Adesanya isn’t sure if USADA is testing Paulo Costa ahead of their title fight at UFC 253. Adesanya and Costa have already done a ton of media to hype up this fight. It is a massive scrap and before the pair went on SportsCenter, the champion asked the Brazilian when is the last time he was tested. According to “The Last Stylebender” Costa did not have an answer.

Israel Adesanya, Darren Till
Israel Adesanya

Israel Adesanya wants future fight with Darren Till "in the O2 or in Wimbledon"

Tom Taylor - August 24, 2020

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is currently gearing up for a fight with Paulo Costa, but that doesn’t mean he’s not thinking about his future. Speaking on Submission Radio, Adesanya teased some of the matchups he’s excited for in the future, should he get by Costa.

Paulo Costa, Georges St-Pierre
Paulo Costa

Paulo Costa sends message to Israel Adesanya: "I will kill you"

Tom Taylor - August 24, 2020

Paulo Costa has a message for UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya ahead of their upcoming title fight, scheduled for UFC 253 on September 26. Costa addressed Adesanya on a recent episode of Submission Radio.

Israel Adesanya, Paulo Costa
Paulo Costa

Israel Adesanya criticizes "dumb" Paulo Costa, Brazilian fires back

Tom Taylor - August 21, 2020

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and his next opponent Paulo Costa had a heated back-and-forth on ESPN’s SportsCenter this week. Ahead of their fight, which will headline the UFC 253 card in September, both fighters are riding victories over the extremely dangerous Yoel Romero. Costa defeated Romero in a wild fire-fight last August, while Adesanya edged by the Cuban in a slow but tense affair in March.