“I shouldn’t have fought” Paulo Costa says he should have postponed title fight against Israel Adesanya


“I shouldn’t have fought” Paulo Costa says he should have postponed title fight against Israel Adesanya

Israel Adesanya Paulo Costa

Paulo Costa and Israel Adesanya

Paulo Costa suffered first defeat of his career when he lost to Adesanya at UFC 253 in September this year via second-round TKO. It was a humiliating loss as Adesanya dry-humped him after the fight and had wild celebration.

Later on he called Adesanya a “Human Trash” and called him out for a rematch, which was declined by “The Last Stylebender”. Costa also said that injury was the reason behind his lost at UFC 253.

Should’ve used more time for preparation for that fight: Costa

Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa

Now Paulo Costa says that he should have used more time in preparing for his title bout against reigning champion Israel Adesanya.

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During a live Q&A session on his YouTube channel, Paulo Costa stated that he feels he should have postponed his title bout against Adesanya.

YouTube video

“Maybe I could have used more in the Adesanya fight, but many things happened before that fight,” Costa said, via Guilherme Cruz of MMA Fighting. “I don’t like to talk because it might sound as excuse, but I had no sleep, my leg was totally impaired, and I shouldn’t have fought, I should have postponed it for the next weekend or more.”

“I saw what happened with Patricky, who fights for Bellator — and has the same coach, Eric Albarracin —, and his team did the right thing. He didn’t wake up well, had labyrinthitis on the day of the fight, feeling dizzy, (so) he doesn’t have to fight. We’re in such a high level that you don’t have to fight if you don’t feel well. It was our mistake,” Costa shared.

Despite getting stopped in the second round, Costa said that he wasn’t convinced of Adesanya’s skills, and believes that he can do better if the two were to cross paths inside the Octagon again.

“He’s an agile fighter, fast, but doesn’t convince me. He didn’t convince me. It’s hard to say, I lost to him and won’t be right. I can say whatever I want and I won’t be right, it will sound salty, but, in reality, he doesn’t convince me. I can fight him 10 times and all 10 times will be different,” Costa stated.

Paulo Costa targeting bout with former middleweight champ Robert Whittaker

Paulo Costa and Robert Whittaker

While Paulo Costa won’t likely be getting any immediate title rematches against Israel Adesanya, he is setting his sights on the next best thing: the former champion and current number one contender Robert Whittaker.

Costa has publicly called for a bout against Whittaker, who secured his spot as the top contender with a unanimous decision win over Jared Cannonier at UFC 254.

Costa wants a fight with Robert Whittaker, Costa, meanwhile, said that the Whittaker fight is very close to being booked.

Also Read: Israel Adesanya blames it on weed for his saggy right pec; but says he won’t stop smoking weed