Israel Adesanya Retains Middleweight Title Against Paulo Costa

Israel Adesanya brilliantly claimed a second-round TKO victory against Paulo Costa in his middleweight title defense in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. 

Still the undisputed champion, the Nigerian-born New Zealander was untroubled by his challenger en route the second-round knockout having total strikes of 65.5% and extended his unbeaten run to 20-0. 

Coming into the fight, the Brazilian who held an unbeaten record was dominant in the first round but the defending champion kept his strategies intact. Paulo began to suffer serious injuries midway the second round with his left leg already weakened by Adesanya.

Adesanya launched his finishing moves when he landed a left-footed kick on his face followed by a left hook leaving him with a bloodied face. The Nigerian-born fighter dodged the Brazilian's left jab while he successfully landed a right hook causing Paulo to drop on the floor and finished him off. 

"You all must have forgot," he said calling his critics' attention to how he defeated the Brazilian. "I have to make you remember, we're the best."

The champion's last bout against a Cuban fighter Yoel Romero was not pleasing to his critics who expected him to have been more engaging and aggressive during the fight rather perceived him as being lackluster. 

However, Adesanya becomes the first fighter to beat the Brazilian ending his unbeaten run in 13 fights in Yas Island. The victory was described as "too easy" for Adesanya by the commentators Jon Anik and Paul Felder.