Israel Adesanya will swoop Paulo Costa’s a**: Dan Hooker

UFC lightweight Dan Hooker has given his thoughts on how he sees this weekend’s middleweight title bout between Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa unfolding. The two undefeated fighters will meet in the main event of UFC 253 inside the Flash Forum in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Hooker is Adesanya’s teammate, so many would expect a level of bias to be represented in his thoughts on the matchup. However, he isn’t the only one to think so. Their coach Eugene Bareman also thinks Adesanya will win, as well as Stephen Thompson. 

Previewing the fight with Submissive Radio, Dan Hooker made some interesting statements. Costa heads into the fight after he followed up four successive knockouts with a hard-earned decision win over Yoel Romero in a gruelling encounter. But, despite “Borrachinha’s” solid form, Hooker isn’t too impressed and said Costa’s style is tailor-made for Adesanya’s slick striking. 

Dan Hooker on Adesanya vs Costa 

Hooker has put his money where his mouth is, too, with the Kiwi explaining he has put a wager on Adesanya getting the finish in the second half of the fight. 

“My money, my actual bet down, is Israel stopping him in the third, fourth or fifth round,” Hooker revealed. “I think Israel TKO-ing him is only paying $2.50 or something mad like that. But for him to stop him in like the third, fourth or fifth is like $9.00, $10.00 or $12.00 dollars. So, I feel like he’s gonna stop him later in the fight in the third, fourth or fifth. That’s where my money’s sitting.” 

Hooker also gave his personal insight into the hotel meeting between Adesanya and Costa and suggested that the discussion might not have been as cordial as some may have first thought. 

“From me sitting there, I know Israel quite well, that’s him poking the bear. And to me, it seemed like Paulo Costa was the one kind of downplaying the situation. I feel like Israel was the one instigating and kind of stirring the pot. Maybe he’s learning a few of my tricks. I love to stir the old pot!” 

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