Midnight Mania! Adesanya: I’ll Pop Costa Before USADA

Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

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Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Paulo Costa and steroid accusations is not a new discussion. The hulking Brazilian has big muscles and loves to talk about/flaunt them, so it’s hardly a surprise that many opponents have insinuated that “Eraser” made those gains with more than lean protein in his system.

It’s a primary talking point of Israel Adesanya ahead of their title match. While Costa fears for the health of his “skinny, fragile” opponent, Adesanya vocally expresses his belief that Costa is a “juiced to the gills.” Really, being accused of using steroids or performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) is a major compliment … if one isn’t actually using.

Speaking with Submission Radio, Adesanya wondered whether or not USADA was able to test Costa properly in Brazil, though he promised to beat him up regardless. “Last time he got tested. He could’t give me a straight answer, let’s put it that way,” Adesanya said (transcription via BJPenn.com). “I was tested twice in the last three weeks, at night because they are trying to catch me off guard. It’s the first two times, it is the first time they have ever tested me at night. Where is your t-shirt? I’ve been tested over 30 times, so where is your t-shirt?

“I know what it is like, I’m from Lagos, Nigeria, so I know what it is like in certain countries where money talks. Where, if you flash your gun, people act a certain way, I know what it is like. You have heard stories with Brazil about people going to gyms to test people and they are not complying because of certain things. I know what that is like, but, I don’t mind. I just like to bring that up because I want it to be known, I said on record, I will pop him before USADA pops him. So, I’m going to beat him and when he gets popped by USADA down the line, it will be like yup, I still whooped his ass even when he was on steroids. That will make a great story.”

Regarding Adesanya’s “where is your t-shirt” query, I can answer at least that bit: Costa is not eligible for a t-shirt, as the Brazilian was suspended six months by USADA for using an IV.

Barring any COVID- or USADA-related delays, the two are booked to square off on September 26.

Insomnia

First and foremost, longtime MMAmania community member TomSelleck23 (real name David Nathan Strapp) passed away recently. David was incredibly witty yet still very genuine, and he will be dearly missed by our community and his family.

Pancrase recently canceled an event at the last minute due to a positive COVID-19 test and still paid all their athletes, so shoutout Pancrase!

This is … not a great statistic for Anthony Smith fans ahead of a fight with a knockout artist.

Fortunately for Tyson Nam, marijuana is legal outside of competition, so he will not get in any trouble for this … It’s funny though.

Some awesome slow-mo takedown defense — mugging and punching the head are both very helpful!

Top Team Alpha Male and Bellator prospect Chris Gonzalez picked up a tough win over undefeated Vladimir Tokov on the Bellator 244 undercard … and promptly received meme treatment for spladling the Russian.

I really hope this isn’t the official poster …

Slips, rips, and KO clips

You don’t see it from Southpaw quite as often, but lead hook to overhand is a classic combo for a reason!

Kurbanov timed this counter right hand perfectly:

When I first saw Chris Kongo’s name on Twitter, I mistakenly read it as Cheick Kongo and was momentarily confused. Great pair of hooks regardless!

Random Land

Is this the animal equivalent of Sumo?

Midnight Music: Frank Ocean forever!

Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.