… knocks him out in 2nd round
NIGERIAN born Mixed Martial Arts fighter, Israel Adesanya, ended the undefeated record of Brazilian middleweight champion, Paulo Costa, in the early hours of Sunday.
Costa had challenged Adesanya, who is the champion of the lightweight division of the UFC.
The last style bender, as he is fondly called, dominated the fight all through with leg kicks on the face of the Brazilian.
Adesanya battered Costa’s front leg with kicks to humble the Brazilian fighter, and by the start of Round 2, Costa had bruises up and down his lower half.
When Adesanya vs Costa kicked off, there was less action in the first round as both MMA fighters traded few kicks and punches with the Brazilian professional mixed martial artist, Costa pressing Adesanya but throwing few shots.
Adesanya’s strategy was apparent early as he kept distance and unloaded with kicks to Costa’s lead leg, alternating between kicks to the outside and stomp kicks to the knee. As Adesanya landed, Costa would respond with taunts before trying to cut off the cage. But Adesanya’s footwork was on-point, allowing him to slide away from any danger before resuming his leg attacks.
Adesanya opened up Costa’s face with a high kick at the start of the second round, and then finished off his challenger by unleashing a brutal flurry of strikes and forcing the referee to call a halt to the action at the 3:59 mark of Round 2.
“I’ve been telling you guys, but everyone thinks … like Roy Jones said, ‘Y’all must have forgot’ because of what happened last time,” Adesanya said after his win. “I had to remind the world who’s the best.”
