LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 07: (L-R) Israel Adesanya of Nigeria kicks Yoel Romero of Cuba in their ... [+]
The UFC middleweight title is on the line tonight at UFC 253 when champion Israel Adesanya faces the No. 2 ranked fighter in the official UFC 185-pound rankings, Paulo Costa. The ESPN+ streaming pay-per-view card takes place on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi.
Adesanya won the 185-pound title in October 2019 with a knockout win over Robert Whittaker. Adesanya’s first defense of the title came in March of this year when he defeated Yoel Romero.
In his most recent bout, Costa went the three round distance with Yoel Romero.
Both fighters are undefeated. Adesanya has a career record of 19-0. Costa enters the 185-pound title fight at 13-0.
The two got involved in a brief skirmish during the face off when Costa, who wore a back belt around his waist, pulled a white belt from his pocket and threw it at Adasanya.
UFC 253 takes place in Abu Dhabi. The main card streams on ESPN+ pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN+ and ESPN2 and early prelims on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass.
Before Saturday’s event takes place, here is a look at how the fighters line up in some important statistical categories.
