After months of waiting, Israel Adesanya will finally face Paulo Costa.
The UFC middleweight champion will defend his title against the Brazilian at UFC 253 on September 19, according to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani. The Brazilian store Combate initially reported the news.
The location of the fight is reportedly to be determined.
Israel Adesanya vs. Paolo Costa is scheduled for UFC 253 on September 19, according to multiple sources. TBD location. First reported by Combat.
– Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 18, 2020
Costa confirmed the news just a few minutes later.
The fight is in the people!
In September I will bring the Show up– Paulo Costa (Borrachinha) (@BorrachinhaMMA) July 18, 2020
Adesanya captured the full middleweight belt in 2019 with an impressive victory over Robert Whittaker, then beat Yoel Romero by unanimous decision at UFC 248 in March. There have been some past conversations about a super fight against light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, but Jones himself said he would have to wait until 2021.
The 13-0 Costa was originally on its way to face Adesanya after beating Romero at UFC 241, but had to wait after undergoing bicep surgery. Adesanya called Costa after his own victory over Romero, saying: “See you soon, boy.”
Costa attended that match and was seen jumping over the fence towards the Octagon after the decision was announced. Now, six months and a pandemic later, it looks like Costa will have another shot at one of the UFC’s biggest rising stars.
UFC 253 will feature an undefeated battle at middleweight. (Photo by Jeff Bottari / Zuffa LLC)
