Main Event ‘Grudge Match’ for UFC 253 Revealed

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya’s next title defense is set to take place at UFC 253 on September 19 according to Combate. The long-awaited “grudge match” between the UFC’s 185-pound champ Adesanya and unbeaten contender Paulo Costa is finally confirmed to be the main event for UFC 253, and it’s set to happen in less than two months.

Per that same report, UFC 253: Adesanya vs. Costa will likely take place on UFC Fight Island on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

The initial report about UFC 253: Adesanya vs. Costa came via Combate and was later confirmed by MMA Junkie, MMA Fighting, and several other MMA news sites.

Per the original report and the others that followed it, UFC 253 is now set to feature the following contests:

• Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa
• Mackenzie Dern vs. Randa Markos
• Hakeem Dawodu vs. Zubaira Tukhugov
• Shamil Abdurakhimov vs. Ciryl Gane

But the most important of the four, Adesanya vs. Costa, is one of the most hotly anticipated fights in the sport.

Additionally, Costa confirmed the main event bout via social media on Saturday.

UFC 253: Adesanya vs. Costa on September 19 is a hugely important fight for both rising stars and the matchup should produce a terrific action fight.

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Israel Adesanya Defeated Yoel Romero at UFC 248

Adesanya defeated Yoel Romero at UFC 248 in March, though most considered his five-round decision win a lackluster performance for the budding superstar.

Regardless, the 30-year-old UFC champ continued his meteoric rise in the sport by coming out of that contest the victor, and now he’ll hope to add another big win to his already impressive record of 19-0.

Beating Costa would be a huge feather in Adesanya’s cap. It would solidify Adesanya as the premier 185-pound fighter on the planet and help him in his quest to get cross-divisional superfights against the likes of UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

In addition to being the UFC middleweight champion, Adesanya is ranked No. 4 in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings.

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Paulo Costa Is Also Undefeated

Costa is also undefeated at 13-0.

The 29-year-old from Brazil is an explosive and aggressive mauler that should be able to help Adesanya produce fireworks inside the Octagon.

The same was thought about Adesanya’s previous opponent Romero. But looking back at UFC 248 now it seems the 43-year-old’s age had finally caught up to him.

Costa shouldn’t have that same problem. If past fights indicate future performance, Costa will press Adesanya from the start of the fight and his powerful strikes might end it at any minute of any round.

Adesanya and Costa were already supposed to face each other last year or early in 2020 but the fight was postponed after Costa suffered an injury.

Now the two will finally lock horns in what’s sure to be one of the biggest fights of the massive year.

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