Israel Adesanya News

Tom Taylor - August 6, 2020

UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa has shared a truly bizarre promo video for his upcoming title fight with reigning middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. While most pre-fight promos feature footage of knockouts and trash talk set to soundtracks of heavy metal or dramatic orchestral music, this one features a sultry saxophone soundtrack and footage of… well… we’ll just let you watch it.

Natasha Hooper - August 5, 2020

Paulo Costa recently proved it isn’t just his striking power that Israel Adesanya needs to look out for, it’s speed too. The middleweight standout proclaimed “I’m a beast now” as he stepped up his training ahead of his title fight against Adesanya at UFC 253 on September 19. With the help of his Muay Thai coach Felipe Reis and his boxing coach Edvaldo Badola, the top contender showcased his speed and power as he uncorked 23 kicks in 12 seconds.

Christopher Taylor - August 1, 2020

UFC middleweight kingpin Israel Adesanya was clearly watching tonight’s UFC Vegas 5 main event between Derek Brunson and Edmen Shahbazyan. Brunson and Shahbazyan squared off in a rare three-round headliner at the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas this evening.

Tom Taylor - July 28, 2020

Jack Hermansson believes that former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker might actually be a tougher matchup than the reigning champ, Israel Adesanya. Adesanya defeated Whittaker by knockout last fall to capture the UFC middleweight strap. Despite the outcome of their fight, Hermansson views Whittaker as the more versatile fighter of the two—particularly after watching the Aussie defeat Darren Till last weekend.

Tom Taylor - July 21, 2020

UFC President Dana White is not happy about the recent reports that Israel Adesanya will defend the UFC middleweight title against Paulo Costa at UFC 253. News of this UFC 253 middleweight title fight was first reported by Brazilian publication Combate, and subsequently confirmed by MMA Fighting.

Adam Martin - July 20, 2020

We have an update for the betting odds in the upcoming middleweight title fight at UFC 253 between champion Israel Adesanya and challenger Paulo Costa. The odds for Adesanya vs. Costa were actually originally released last fall immediately after Adesanya knocked out Robert Whittaker to win the belt at UFC 243. At the time, Costa was coming off of a decision win over Yoel Romero at UFC 241 and was set to fight Adesanya for the belt. Unfortunately, Costa injured his bicep and couldn’t fight for the belt. Instead, Adesanya took on Romero at UFC 248 and won a unanimous decision to keep his belt.

Chris Taylor - July 18, 2020

Paulo Costa will get his first opportunity to fight for UFC gold when he squares off with middleweight champion Israel Adesanya at UFC 253. Following an initial report from Combate, BJPENN.com confirmed with sources that Costa will in fact square off with Adesanya at the September 19 pay-per-view event.

Chris Taylor - July 18, 2020

It appears fight fans will finally get to see undefeated middleweights Paulo Costa and Israel Adesanya throw down inside of the Octagon. Initially, it looked like the highly anticipated title fight might occur in late 2019. Unfortunately, that plan was derailed by a Costa bicep injury, and Adesanya ultimately accepted a title defense against Yoel Romero in March instead.

Cole Shelton - July 6, 2020

Wallid Ismail claims Israel Adesanya has turned Paulo Costa down for UFC 251 and UFC 252. Ever since Paulo Costa beat Yoel Romero at UFC 241 last August, it was expected the Brazilian would fight the winner of Israel Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker. Ultimately, it was “The Last Stylebender” who got the job done against Whittaker, and he and Costa were then targeted to fight in March. Yet, Costa suffered an injury so Adesanya defended his belt against Yoel Romero instead.

Cole Shelton - July 4, 2020

Eric Albarracin knows the stakes are high for a potential Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa matchup. Ever since Adesanya became the UFC’s middleweight champion, it was expected his first title defense would be against Paulo Costa. Yet, the Brazilian got hurt and Adesanya ended up fighting Yoel Romero.

Tom Taylor - July 1, 2020

Coach Eugene Bareman, the head coach behind UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, recently addressed rumors that Adesanya will coach the next season of The Ultimate Fighter against top middleweight contender Paulo Costa. Adesanya and Costa have long been linked to a middleweight title fight, but the bout has not yet been made official. UFC commentator Joe Rogan recently divulged that he heard the plan was to have Adesanya and Costa coach TUF, which would require additional negotiations—hence the delay. That comment from Rogan caused widespread speculation that an Adesanya vs. Costa TUF season is indeed the plan.

Cole Shelton - June 25, 2020

Paulo Costa is getting frustrated with Israel Adesanya. Ever since Costa beat Yoel Romero by unanimous decision at UFC 241, it was expected he would fight the winner of Robert Whittaker vs. Adesanya at UFC 243. The Brazilian was there Octagon-side and following the event, it was reported him and “The Last Stylebender” would meet in March.

Tom Taylor - June 11, 2020

A number of high-profile UFC stars, including Israel Adesanya, Rose Namajunas, Michael Bisping, and Angela Hill, have come together to create a video in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. The video, which follows the killing of George Floyd by police officers, was shared by several fighters on social media.

Natasha Hooper - June 2, 2020

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has spoken out at a Black Lives Matter protest in Auckland. “The Last Stylebender” is known for being outspoken, and he isn’t scared to speak on topics outside of the MMA circuit. That includes the devastating killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers in America last week. His passing has ignited debate and protest over police brutality and the treatment of black citizens in the country.

Tom Taylor - June 1, 2020

Former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre is now retired, but he still enjoys watching the sport that made him a star. Speaking to Mathew Scott of the South China Morning Post recently, St-Pierre named the UFC fighters that have been capturing his attention of late.

Tom Taylor - May 27, 2020

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya claims Francis Ngannou gave Paulo Costa a serious scare in the crowd at UFC 248. Adesanya fought in the main event of UFC 248, successfully defending his title against Yoel Romero with a decision win. Costa, who is the next man in line for a middleweight title shot, was allegedly heckling the champ from cage-side—until Ngannou intervened.

Cole Shelton - May 20, 2020

Eric Albarracin has high expectations for Israel Adesanya vs Paulo Costa. Adesanya and Costa have been going back-and-forth at one another for months a fight between them seems likely. It would see both men put their undefeated records on the line, in what Albarracin says will be the greatest middleweight title fight in history.

Tom Taylor - May 19, 2020

Darren Till has his sights set on a “massive” middleweight title fight with the division’s reigning champion, Israel Adesanya. Till recently called for the opportunity to coach the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter against Adesanya, but received a fairly decisive “no” in response from the champ.