Paulo Costa releases mock video of UFC 253 fight with Israel ‘Runnersanya’
With a UFC title opportunity just weeks away, Paulo Costa took some time out of his schedule for a little lighthearted fun.
This past weekend, “Borrachinha” posted a short video meant to serve as a playful preview of how he expects his fight with middleweight champion Israel Adesanya to go at UFC 253.
The clip sees Costa and “Adesanya” (played by muay Thai kickboxer Vanderlei “Toquinho” Goncalves) engage in a mock fight, complete with exaggerated entrances, Costa’s coach Eric Albarracin doing his best Bruce Buffer impression, and Costa literally chasing his opponent around and outside the cage.
Costa (13-0) has repeatedly dared Adesanya to stand toe-to-toe with him on fight night, but even in this dramatized scenario where he mocks Adesanya as “Runnersanya,” he sees himself becoming the new UFC champion by knockout.
The real thing goes down in the main event of UFC 253, which takes place on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi on Sept. 27.