Israel Adesanya News

Natasha Hooper - August 5, 2020

Paulo Costa recently proved it isn’t just his striking power that Israel Adesanya needs to look out for, it’s speed too. The middleweight standout proclaimed “I’m a beast now” as he stepped up his training ahead of his title fight against Adesanya at UFC 253 on September 19. With the help of his Muay Thai coach Felipe Reis and his boxing coach Edvaldo Badola, the top contender showcased his speed and power as he uncorked 23 kicks in 12 seconds.

Christopher Taylor - August 1, 2020

UFC middleweight kingpin Israel Adesanya was clearly watching tonight’s UFC Vegas 5 main event between Derek Brunson and Edmen Shahbazyan. Brunson and Shahbazyan squared off in a rare three-round headliner at the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas this evening.

Tom Taylor - July 28, 2020

Jack Hermansson believes that former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker might actually be a tougher matchup than the reigning champ, Israel Adesanya. Adesanya defeated Whittaker by knockout last fall to capture the UFC middleweight strap. Despite the outcome of their fight, Hermansson views Whittaker as the more versatile fighter of the two—particularly after watching the Aussie defeat Darren Till last weekend.

Christopher Taylor - July 25, 2020

Despite tonight’s loss to Robert Whittaker, Darren Till is still confident that he has what it takes to defeat reigning middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. The Liverpool native squared off with Whittaker in the headliner of tonight’s UFC Fight Island 3 event in Abu Dhabi.

Adam Martin - July 20, 2020

We have an update for the betting odds in the upcoming middleweight title fight at UFC 253 between champion Israel Adesanya and challenger Paulo Costa. The odds for Adesanya vs. Costa were actually originally released last fall immediately after Adesanya knocked out Robert Whittaker to win the belt at UFC 243. At the time, Costa was coming off of a decision win over Yoel Romero at UFC 241 and was set to fight Adesanya for the belt. Unfortunately, Costa injured his bicep and couldn’t fight for the belt. Instead, Adesanya took on Romero at UFC 248 and won a unanimous decision to keep his belt.

Chris Taylor - July 18, 2020

Paulo Costa will get his first opportunity to fight for UFC gold when he squares off with middleweight champion Israel Adesanya at UFC 253. Following an initial report from Combate, BJPENN.com confirmed with sources that Costa will in fact square off with Adesanya at the September 19 pay-per-view event.

Chris Taylor - July 18, 2020

It appears fight fans will finally get to see undefeated middleweights Paulo Costa and Israel Adesanya throw down inside of the Octagon. Initially, it looked like the highly anticipated title fight might occur in late 2019. Unfortunately, that plan was derailed by a Costa bicep injury, and Adesanya ultimately accepted a title defense against Yoel Romero in March instead.

Tom Taylor - July 15, 2020

UFC President Dana White recently provided an update on a long-awaited middleweight title fight between champ Israel Adesanya and challenger Paulo Costa. Fans have been dying to see Adesanya and Costa, both undefeated, fight for middleweight gold for close to a year.

Cole Shelton - July 4, 2020

Eric Albarracin knows the stakes are high for a potential Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa matchup. Ever since Adesanya became the UFC’s middleweight champion, it was expected his first title defense would be against Paulo Costa. Yet, the Brazilian got hurt and Adesanya ended up fighting Yoel Romero.

Tom Taylor - July 1, 2020

Coach Eugene Bareman, the head coach behind UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, recently addressed rumors that Adesanya will coach the next season of The Ultimate Fighter against top middleweight contender Paulo Costa. Adesanya and Costa have long been linked to a middleweight title fight, but the bout has not yet been made official. UFC commentator Joe Rogan recently divulged that he heard the plan was to have Adesanya and Costa coach TUF, which would require additional negotiations—hence the delay. That comment from Rogan caused widespread speculation that an Adesanya vs. Costa TUF season is indeed the plan.

Cole Shelton - June 25, 2020

Paulo Costa is getting frustrated with Israel Adesanya. Ever since Costa beat Yoel Romero by unanimous decision at UFC 241, it was expected he would fight the winner of Robert Whittaker vs. Adesanya at UFC 243. The Brazilian was there Octagon-side and following the event, it was reported him and “The Last Stylebender” would meet in March.

Cole Shelton - June 18, 2020

Paulo Costa has set his price to coach The Ultimate Fighter and fight Israel Adesanya. Dana White has recently said TUF is coming back and named a few possibilities of who may coach the season. One pairing fans were eager to see was Adesanya and Costa. The two have a massive rivalry, so it would make for good TV. It would also set up their middleweight title fight, which is expected to happen later this year.

Natasha Hooper - June 2, 2020

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has spoken out at a Black Lives Matter protest in Auckland. “The Last Stylebender” is known for being outspoken, and he isn’t scared to speak on topics outside of the MMA circuit. That includes the devastating killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers in America last week. His passing has ignited debate and protest over police brutality and the treatment of black citizens in the country.

Tom Taylor - June 1, 2020

Former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre is now retired, but he still enjoys watching the sport that made him a star. Speaking to Mathew Scott of the South China Morning Post recently, St-Pierre named the UFC fighters that have been capturing his attention of late.

Tom Taylor - May 27, 2020

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya claims Francis Ngannou gave Paulo Costa a serious scare in the crowd at UFC 248. Adesanya fought in the main event of UFC 248, successfully defending his title against Yoel Romero with a decision win. Costa, who is the next man in line for a middleweight title shot, was allegedly heckling the champ from cage-side—until Ngannou intervened.

Tom Taylor - May 26, 2020

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is eager for the opportunity to punish Paulo Costa for all of his trash talk. The two undefeated knockout artists are expected to fight next, but the bout is not yet official. Whenever it winds up happening, Adesanya is excited, particularly after his undeniably slow win over Yoel Romero back in March.

Tom Taylor - May 19, 2020

Darren Till has his sights set on a “massive” middleweight title fight with the division’s reigning champion, Israel Adesanya. Till recently called for the opportunity to coach the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter against Adesanya, but received a fairly decisive “no” in response from the champ.

Tom Taylor - May 7, 2020

UFC middleweight champ Israel Adesanya has issued a response to the notion of coaching The Ultimate Fighter opposite Darren Till — and Till’s not going to like it. While the idea of a fight between Adesanya and Till has been appealing since Till debuted in the middleweight division with a big win over Kelvin Gastelum in November, the buzz surrounding this potential matchup spiked yesterday, when Till suggested he could coach the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter against Adesanya. Generally speaking, TUF coaches wind up fighting each other at the conclusion of the season, so Till was effectively implying he could fight Adesanya in the near future.