Costa not the best striker, says Adesanya

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Israel Adesanya will face Paulo Costa in Abu Dhabi on September 27.

Abu Dhabi - No. 2 ranked Costa has 11 knockout wins in his 13-0 run but Adesanya isn't perturbed

By Ashwani Kumar

Published: Fri 11 Sep 2020, 8:28 PM

Last updated: Fri 11 Sep 2020, 11:26 PM

UFC's middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and challenger Paulo Costa promise one thing at the UFC 253 - an all-out attack inside the steel cage with one man standing at the end.

The two undefeated fighters will clash at Abu Dhabi's Yas Island as the mixed martial arts returns to Fight Island on September 27.
"I can see the finish line on the horizon. I can't wait. I am practising patience. I love winning but it doesn't take most of the thought of my time. I think about expressing myself in a fight. When I am having fun, I am the best in the world," the 31-year-old Adesanya said during virtual media day on Friday.

No. 2 ranked Costa has 11 knockout wins in his 13-0 run but Adesanya isn't perturbed.
"Even in kickboxing, he is not one of the best. I've faced way better strikers. He is not even close. In the UFC, he's definitely not the best striker. I feel Anderson Silva is a better striker than him, Robert Whittaker is a different striker than him but can be better. Yeah, he's definitely not the best strikers I've fought but he's dangerous. And so am I."

Adesanya is on a 19-0 roll and said his best is yet to come.
Meanwhile, Costa is confident about not just winning the belt but destroying Adesanya inside the octagon.

"My focus is on one thing - the title. I am emotional for this fight but I think it will be a good one for me. I am going to take the belt. I can already feel like a champion. I will be happy to hurt him. I am going to destroy him. I don't want to leave it to the judges. I am going to finish him in the fight."

The 29-year-old feels in good shape as his training progresses.
"I know what I did on sparring days. I know everything I am working for. I don't care if his mind is broken or not. I don't care. I go there. I will erase him."
September 27 will be the first event in a month-long Fight Nights and headline actions culminating with the UFC 254 on October 24.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com