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Israel Adesanya expertly selected Paulo Costa to retain his middleweight title and extend his perfect professional record to 20-0 at UFC 253 in Abu Dhabi.
The event marked a return to ‘UFC Fight Island’ and Adesanya made a successful second defense of his crown by finishing off the previously undefeated Brazilian via a second round TKO.
Yas Island has morphed into a bubble of isolation for wrestlers, teams, and the media during a five-event run, and the promotion’s first season two show also saw a new champion crowned in the co-main event when the Polish Jan Blachowicz won the vacancy. light heavyweight title.
In the main event, Adesanya, 31, concentrated much of his attack on Costa’s lead leg in the first round, landing with 15 kicks within the first five minutes, while the Brazilian was more patient than some. they expected.
However, the wrestlers continually exchanged comments while trying to goad each other to make an early mistake.
Adesanya’s leg attack continued through the second round as the Nigerian-born New Zealander masterfully controlled the range and eliminated the 29-year-old Costa, almost at will, with the Brazilian struggling to land something substantial.
Then, as the increasingly frustrated Costa sought to close the gap, Adesanya struck and dropped the massive Brazilian with a forehand counter, then finished his man with ground shots after three minutes, 59 seconds.
“Too easy,” exclaimed UFC commentators Jon Anik and Paul Felder as former kickboxing star Adesanya sealed his ninth consecutive UFC victory to further cement his status as the world’s best 185-pound fighter.
while the man himself said he proved his detractors wrong after receiving criticism from some quarters after his lackluster display against Yoel Romero of Cuba in his previous appearance at UFC 248 in March.
“Everyone must have forgotten it. I have to make them remember, we are the best,” Adesanya said, referring to the criticism he received from some quarters after his lackluster demonstration against Cuban Yoel Romero in his previous appearance in March.
He then stated that he would like to face Jared Cannonier in his next title defense, if the American can defeat former champion Robert Whittaker in their fight at UFC 254 on October 24.
“Anderson Silva lived a great legacy and I want to serve the middleweight division,” he said. “Jared Cannonier, I love his energy, he’s a beautiful man. I told him, ‘Destroy Robert Whittaker, you’re next.’
Blachowicz’s ‘legendary Polish power’ prevails
In the evening’s co-main event, Blachowicz captured the UFC light heavyweight title, vacated by reigning champion Jon Jones, who promoted to heavyweight, with a perfect performance to finish off Dominick Reyes in the second round.
The 37-year-old Blachowicz settled in quickly and landed more frequently during the opening round, including a pair of hard kicks to the body that left a large red welt on the right side of the American’s rib cage.
The controlled aggression continued as Blachowicz charged and began putting together more combinations. The former KSW light heavyweight champion broke Reyes’ nose when he landed with a right hand and pushed to finish off his man with 24 seconds left in the second round.
Blachowicz’s TKO victory saw him improve his career record to 27 wins and eight losses. He extends his winning streak to four, with three of those victories within range as a result of what he calls his “legendary Polish power.”
After his win, Blachowicz said, “Jon Jones, where are you? Don’t give up. I’m waiting for you.”
But, with Jones’ time as a 205-pound fighter now seemingly in the past after his promotion to heavyweight, Blachowicz will face the challenge of fending off the growing roster of light heavyweight contenders, including rising European talents Jiri Prochazka. and Aleksandar Rakic, in addition to the Brazilian. veteran Glover Teixeira and the last man to defeat him, Brazilian Thiago Santos.
