UFC 253: Paulo Costa surprised by 'gentleman' Israel Adesanya ahead of blockbuster battle

Undefeated pair square off in Abu Dhabi on Sunday

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 17: Paulo Costa throws a punch at Yoel Romero in the third round during their Middleweight Bout at UFC 241 at Honda Center on August 17, 2019 in Anaheim, California. Joe SShow more

Paulo Costa says he was surprised by Israel Adesanya’s demeanour during their hotel run-in earlier this week, as he vowed not to let the champion dictate their headline title fight at UFC 253 in Abu Dhabi.

The two undefeated fighters square off in a blockbuster bout in the capital on Sunday, which concludes the first of five events at Fight Island 2 on Yas Island. It marks only the second time in UFC history that two unbeaten rivals do battle for a belt.

The pair has been involved in a heated build-up to the clash, with barbs and insults traded on social media and in interviews. Even without that, UFC president Dana White has tipped the encounter to be fight of the year.

However, it seemed a different story between the duo earlier this week, when Adesanya and Costa bumped into one another in their hotel on Yas Island. A video sent out on social media by Costa's team appeared to show the rivals sharing warm words, although Adesanya later told The National that he was simply "sizing up" his opponent.

Speaking to media on Wednesday night, Costa said: “I don’t know what happened, because he changed a lot his personality, his persona. Because the Adesanya that I saw on a video conference was a very disrespectful guy; he show his [middle fingers] all the time to me.

“But when I met him upstairs, he was very kind, very [gentlemanly]. When I saw him I was waiting for a different kind of guy. For him, he came and he gave his hand to shake his hand and he asked me, ‘How are you feeling? Feeling good?’ ‘Okay, I’m good.’ He said, ‘You look very good.’ So it’s OK. If he changed, OK.”

On a cursory level at least, the fight pits against one another two vastly contrasting styles, with Adesanya, 31, viewed as the more technical combatant and Costa, 29, seen to offer raw power. The Brazilian is known for his highlight-reel knockouts.

Costa, whose record in professional mixed martial arts stands at 13-0, recently taunted Adesanya for running from opponents inside the octagon. The Nigerian-born athlete (19-0) was heavily criticised for a lack of action in his most recent bout, when he sealed a unanimous decision in a lacklustre contest against Yoel Romero in February.

Although, that won’t necessarily mean Costa will charge at the champion come Sunday.

UFC 251 in Abu Dhabi

“First of all, I think he’s a [counter-striker],” he said. “Everybody here saw when he fought Romero. If one guy doesn’t push him, he will not push out. He stood, the guy came for him.

“So I will try to push him, to bring him to the fight. But, if he avoids the fight, I will not chase him all the time. I will go back to the middle and cut the angles and try to make the fight happen.”