Undefeated Paulo Costa is hoping Israel Adesanya gets past Robert Whittaker at UFC 243, so he can “knock him out cold” when they fight.
Paulo Costa has said he wants Israel Adesanya to get past Robert Whittaker this weekend at UFC 243, as the Brazilian wants to win the middleweight title by knocking Adesanya “out cold.”
The undefeated ‘Borrachinha’ (13-0) is coming off a unanimous decision win against former title challenger Yoel Romero at UFC 241. Likely to be next in line for the belt after Whittaker and Adesanya fight this weekend, Costa spoke to MMA Fighting about why he wants “The “Last Stylebender” to get the nod over Whittaker.
“I’m really rooting for Adesanya to win,” Costa said. “I think it’s going to be a really tough, I don’t think he gets past (Whittaker), but I’m asking God for him to win because I would really love to win the belt by beating him up.
“I really want to knock him out cold in the Octagon (and) leave him lying on the floor unconscious. I want to take that belt away from him so he stops being such a clown, but I don’t think he gets past Whittaker.”
Costa explained his feud with Adesanya dates back to July of last year when the pair were both fighting during 2018’s International Fight Week. The Brazilian explained he was angered by Adesanya calling him out after his win over Brad Tavares.
“We were at the same hotel when I was going to fight Uriah Hall,” Costa said. “He fought the night before against Brad Tavares, but no one knows who the hell Brad Tavares is, and he’s acting like he’s the man. We both won and he called me out. I don’t even know who this f—ker is, you know?
“He was just starting in the UFC. He had two or three fights, while I couldn’t fight because I was recovering and then waiting for Romero, and he grew (in the UFC) and became this cocky guy, always talking about me.”
UFC 243 takes place this Saturday at the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. Whittaker vs. Adesanya will headline the card.
