UFC President Dana White announced his prediction that Israel Adesanya vs Paulo Costa will be the fight of the year.
The middleweight championship bout’s Sept. 26th date was officially announced during this past Saturday’s event. White hyped the already much anticipated fight in the post-fight presser.
“I don’t know what you guys think (the media), but I predict that’s fight of the year… fight of the year.” Minutes later White stated “Like I said, Adesanya vs Costa right now is fight of the year. I predict that’s gonna be an incredibly badass fight.”
Since entering the UFC back in 2018, Israel Adesanya has blossomed into one of the sport’s biggest superstars. His next challenger, Paulo Costa is an undefeated powerhouse with disdain towards the champ. In fact, the feelings are mutual.
When looking at this match-up stylistically, you can surely understand Dana’s high expectations. You have a world-class striker in ‘Stylebender’, who’s a master of space and so calculated with each strike; facing a chiseled and powerful headhunter in ‘The Eraser’.
Adesanya’s last fight against Yoel Romero was uneventful, but despite being a similar styled opponent, Costa is going to do something Romero refused to do; move forward.
That may end up being his demise against the incredible counter-striking ability of the champ though.
Costa’s forward pressure will however force Adesanya into trading in the pocket at points in this fight. ‘Stylebender’ is obviously the superior striker in terms of technique and precision, but Costa’s power is legit and has to be respected.
I agree with White that this will be a GREAT fight, but will it be 2020’s best fight?
Looking back at the last seven and a half months, the top contenders remain as:
- Zhang Weili vs Joann Jedrzejczyk
- Dustin Poirier vs Dan Hooker
- Josh Emmett vs Shane Burgos
- Dan Hooker vs Paul Felder
- Justin Gaethje vs Tony Ferguson
- Robert Whittaker vs Darren Till
The Weili/Jedrzejczyk and Poirier/Hooker fights are going to be difficult to surpass in terms of entertainment. If Adesanya does beat Costa in a fight of the year affair then he would possess that feat two years in a row (vs Gastelum, April 2019).
Whether it ends up being the best fight this year or not, you’re going to want to tune in to UFC 253 on Sept. 26th when Israel Adesanya defends his middleweight belt against heated rival Paulo Costa.
