UFC: Paulo Costa Wants To Break Israel Adesanya Mentally & Physically

Ahead of their title fight at UFC 253 on Fight Island on September 26th, Paulo Costa said he wants to break Israel Adesanya mentally and then physically.

When the two step inside the Octagon, ‘The Eraser’ has said he will give Adesanya an unforgettable beating. Not content with dishing out a beating and winning the UFC middleweight title however, he also wants to put on an entertaining show for the fans. Speaking to SCMP MMA‘s Mathew Scott, Costa said that he isn’t looking for a quick finish.

“I don’t want to just beat him very quickly,” Costa said. “I want to bring some entertainment to the people. I hope we can go into the second round and then I think he will break then.”

“I Want To Break Him In The Mind”

The UFC 253 main event will see a battle of styles, with Costa’s brute force meeting Adesanya’s cerebral technique. There has also been a lot of heat going into the bout, with both fighters exchanging verbal blows on social media and in interviews.

“I like that,” said Costa. “It’s part of the war, to work out how to break him mentally, before the fight and during the fight.”

Costa openly denounced Adesanya’s last performance, where he beat Yoel Romero unconvincingly at UFC 248. Which has given the 29-year-old even more confidence that he can be the first to put a blemish on ‘The Last Stylebender’s’ professional record, which stands at 19-0. But before they step inside the Octagon, ‘Borrachinha’ wants to break the champion mentally.

“I want to break him in the mind before we fight and then break him in the Octagon as well,” said the number two-ranked middleweight.

Yoel Romero

Costa is also undefeated in his MMA career, holding a 13-0 record, with 11 knockout victories. He also holds a unanimous decision victory over Romero at UFC 241, for which he received a Fight of the Night bonus.

“After I beat Romero I am certain that people who had some doubts about my skills, they changed their minds,” Costa said. “People started to believe I was the really, real deal, just not another guy who can fight. In the right moment, I grew up. Under the high pressure, I grew.

“That showed I could fight for the belt and that’s why I am so confident right now. I will become the new champion.”

Costa and Adesanya had contrasting fights with Romero. Whereas the Brazilian’s clash saw non-stop action and 500 strikes thrown in three rounds, the Nigerian born’s fight with the ‘Soldier Of God’ was a lacklustre affair with only 220 strikes thrown in five rounds.

“The fight against Romero was a real war,” said Costa. “I am so proud of that fight. It was very important for me. The guys that I work with made me lift myself to another level. I came from jiu-jitsu, and I became a very good boxer but against Romero I think I proved I can wrestle as well. He tried to take me down and I managed to avoid the takedowns and that came from the work my team had done with me.”

“My Time Is Now”

Costa and his crew are currently headed to Fight Island on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, and will be waiting for fight night against Adesanya.

“Me, my family, my whole team, the people who are around me, everybody knows my skills and that I would be a champion,” the challenger said. “We have known at the right moment, and the right time, I would be popular, my chance would come. So we are comfortable with my position.

“My time is now. I just have to keep focused. I’m doing what I like to do and I am bringing my goals into my life. Training has been going well. We’re on track to shock the world.”

Can Paulo Costa beat Israel Adesanya to become the UFC middleweight champion at UFC 253?

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