In the octagon, Israel Adesanya showed his true class at UFC 253, but his behaviour in the aftermath is unlikely to sit well with observers.
He made it look easy. Adesanya obliterated Costa’s lead leg throughout and that made the challenger static by the time Adesanya really opened up his arsenal.
A left-hand off the temple put Costa down and then the referee had to save The Eraser.
But after the fight, in addition to showcasing his extraordinary dance moves, Adesanya appeared to hump his beaten opponent as he celebrated victory and then continued the lewd acts in an exchange with Costa’s corner.
Seconds after the fight was stopped, he strolled around the octagon and was heard saying “I wrap my d*** around my waist it’s a black belt, motherf*****” – possibly in reference to Costa’s taunting of his jiu-jitsu credentials.
The champion eventually approached Costa’s corner and told them: “Imma c** all over you,” after what first appeared to a be a seemingly cordial exchange.
It could be argued Adesanya was caught up in the moment, having spent months training to beat a man he simply doesn’t like.
His win takes him to 20-0 and UFC president Dana White, when asked if Adesanya could be the new Anderson Silva of the division, said, “I think he’s gonna be the new Adesanya of the division.
“He’s got his own style and his own way about him. I think he’s gonna be the next big superstar here, especially after tonight’s performance.”
The champion had been criticised after his defence to Yoel Romero last time out. It was a sluggish affair where Adesanya spent more time out of Romero’s range than anything else and just about got the job done.
On this occasion, though, Adesanya put on an absolute clinic.
He told his bosses he wants to fight Jared Cannonier next if he defeats Robert Whittaker in his quest to clear out the middleweight division.
