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ABU DHABI – Israel Adesanya backed his speech exactly as predicted against Paulo Costa on Saturday at UFC 253.
Adesanya (20-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) said over and over in the weeks and months leading up to his second-round TKO of Costa (13-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) on the pay- per-view. at Flash Forum on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi that would be too slick and precise for his challenger. That turned out to be true, as he delivered a near-perfect performance.
Although there was a narrative in the fight that Costa may have had a mental impact on the champion, Adesanya said he didn’t buy it. The champion said he felt everything that was coming, from the first time he met Costa in fight week until they stepped into the Octagon.
“I’m 10 steps ahead,” Adesanya told reporters, including MMA Junkie, after the fight at UFC 253. “I told them I’m 10 steps ahead. You think it’s just words, but I’m 10 steps ahead.… I told them in the pre-fight fight that I’m not a human punching bag. He’s only fought human punching bags, guys who just stand there and take cover. They just let him play with them. I knew it because he was interrupting me. Brother, we are the best, City Kickboxing. “
Adesanya said he was not surprised by the lack of competitiveness in the confrontation with Costa. The Brazilian implemented some unusual tactics in the contest, taunting Adesanya as he ate some big shots along the way until he finally succumbed to the damage.
The champion said “it’s not a publicity job” after the fight, and he wouldn’t be fooled by Costa’s strategy in his 100th career combat sports win.
“They just want me to stand there to be beaten,” Adesanya said. “I’m not stupid, silly. I told you, it’s silly. I’m smart. This is my 100th win in all combat sports. One fight, two fights, three fights, four fights, five fights, six fights – up to a (expletive) hundred. I’m not a baby (expletive) for this game. I’ve been at this (expletive) for a long time and I’m still fresh. “
As for what’s next, Adesanya said there are many options. He’s not ready to move divisions or chase potential superfights yet, because he wants to build his 185-pound legacy to surpass that of the division’s greatest champion, Anderson Silva.
That means racking up more title defenses, and Adesanya said he’s seeing the winner of the UFC 254 showdown on Oct. 24 between Robert Whittaker and Jared Cannonier as his next enemy.
“I think Jared is going to dust Robert Whittaker and I look forward to fighting him,” Adesanya said. “I think he is going to make it. I am supporting it. But if Robert Whittaker wins and wants to be knocked out a third time, I can make that happen too. “
