Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
Israel Adesanya looked better than ever last night (Sat., Sept. 26, 2020) at UFC 253 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside Flash Forum on “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E., as the UFC middleweight champion put a stop to Paulo Costa via second-round TKO (punches).
Adesanya led the dance early with whipping leg kicks as Costa found it difficult to unload his power. The champ then started to launch kicks to the body as Costa pretended like the shots didn’t hurt.
In Round 2, Adesanya went back to the well and really started to bruise Costa’s lead leg. That opened up Costa for head kicks and “Last Stylebender” was happy to try. He landed a massive head kick midway through the round but Costa somehow ate it. A cut did open up on Costa’ head.
Moments later, Adesanya landed some beautiful punches that seemed to take everything out of Costa. A perfectly-placed counter left hook clipped Costa on the side of the ear and the Brazilian went down. Adesanya followed up with heavy ground-and-pound as Costa covered up and the referee stepped in.
Check out the highlights below courtesy of UFC/ESPN:
UNDEFEATED HERCULES.
@BorrachinhaMMA‘s biggest stage has just arrived.
[ We’re LIVE on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/QLKv2kFUC5 ] pic.twitter.com/e2Tn7oLaWK
— UFC (@ufc) September 27, 2020
No dancing. No antics.
@Stylebender is a man on a mission.
[ We’re LIVE on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/QLKv2kFUC5 ] pic.twitter.com/BaJTWnwELf
— UFC (@ufc) September 27, 2020
CHILLS.
We lock the Octagon doors in a matter of seconds
[ We’re LIVE on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/QLKv2kFUC5 ] pic.twitter.com/f124mMDTNt
— UFC (@ufc) September 27, 2020
“Romero.”
Adesanya & Costa pose for quick sec in RD 1.
[ #UFC253 | #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/bLHPQFRvE5
— UFC (@ufc) September 27, 2020
Inteligente y efectivo el campeón! #UFC253 pic.twitter.com/QX7f6yPjSG
— ufcespanol (@UFCEspanol) September 27, 2020
High or low, the kicks of @stylebender are landing #UFC253 pic.twitter.com/fg9KztckKD
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) September 27, 2020
TOO EASY.
@Stylebender is the undefeated king of the middleweights.
[ #UFC253 | #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/lz5C9DsDN7
— UFC (@ufc) September 27, 2020
The celebration has begun for @Stylebender #UFC253 pic.twitter.com/VCEzBfRwZo
— UFC (@ufc) September 27, 2020
The undisputed king!@Stylebender is untouchable at middleweight
[ #UFC253 | #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/vyhCK9i1ei
— UFC (@ufc) September 27, 2020
THE RUN. #UFC253 pic.twitter.com/h62VD2jIyU
— UFC (@ufc) September 27, 2020
For complete UFC 253 results and coverage click here.