Israel Adesanya thinks the key to Paulo Costa is successful at UFC 318 in his own head.
Costa returns for his first fight of 2025 this Saturday while taking the walk to the UFC 318 pay-per-view in New Orleans in Co-Headline.
'Borrachinha', currently in the middleweight number 13, is one of those who are responsible for determining the stage for Dustin Poirier's pension fight against Max Holloway in the main event in Smoothie King Center.
In the midst of a difficult period that has only collected him in five years, Costa desperately needs a big achievement against Roman Kopylov on July 19. And before his return, the Brazilian received some heavy love from a former opponent.
Israël Adesanya is insisting on Paulo Costa to 'become serious' on UFC 318 after Underwhelming Run
During a video that was recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Israel Adesanya broke down the upcoming UFC 318 fight. 'The Last Stylebender' will have an established interest in the Co-Main event, which appears in his division and contains the man he defeated to record his second successful defending defense in 2020.
Adesanya did not stop himself while giving his former enemy a reality check, insisting that it is all good and good to be entertaining, but he must still be “motivated” to perform in the cage.
“Paulo Costa, where he has been. Can't remember it,” said Adesanya.
“He is still a dangerous guy. … Costa! Come show up, man! Just show up and f – show them. Costa has the goods, but I don't know. Who is he training now?
“Costa just has to be serious again,” Adesanya continued. “Costa is fun, he is entertaining to look … (but) just show some balls, man. Go back to who you were before you fought against me.
'Take it more seriously. Simply f – everything else. … I love Costa. I don't think he's a bad guy. But again, just show some balls. Get serious again. Come on to fight. He has had so much – just once, once showed no weight. Just show some balls, bro. Be motivated, be disciplined. “
Paulo Costa is already looking beyond Roman Kopylov on UFC 318
Although he has a task to be present in the Octagon this Saturday, Costa has already outlined his plans.
'Borrachinha' said on the Ariel Helwani -Leting that he is planning to call old rival Khamzat Chimaev after a victory at Kopylov at UFC 318.
“Chimaev. This son of Ab-I wants to fight this guy,” said Costa.
“It has to happen … I will mention his name (out) after UFC 318, if God gives me this victory … He has to fight me and I have to fight him. Because, look, I have tried to fight him for a long time. Since our beef in the UFC Pi, he has been avoiding to fight for a long time.
“He always says no, and the UFC has tried to put together this competition for about two years,” added Costa. “The UFC said he doesn't want to fight … I don't respect him.”
Chimaev will champion Dric Du Plessis challenge UFC 319 in August. If 'Borz' wins the title, Costa will probably have more work if he will get a second championship chance.