Paulo Costa Unwilling to Engage in ‘Gang vs Gang’ Against Israel Adesanya

The mind games between Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa are in full swing ahead of their fight next month. Adesanya has warned the challenger that the latter shouldn’t cross the line when the two of them meet outside the Octagon, lest there may be a gang fight between the two. However, Paulo Costa has no such intention.

“Borrachinha” has displayed a genuine sense of hatred towards the Nigerian-Kiwi champ. While most view him as a knockout artist, Costa claims he is more skilled than Adesanya. The Brazilian also claims to have the better of the mental warfare so far.

“He’s acting like someone that’s been bothered, someone that’s uncomfortable,” Costa said while talking to MMA Fighting. “The worst thing that can happen to a fighter, especially one that has the belt, is to get uncomfortable. His actions, the way he thinks, he even said… He got to the point of asking me not to do any trolling or anything stupid thing with my gang during fight week.”

During a conversation with Submission Radio, Adesanya warned his future opponent not to do anything in the lead up to the fight. While Costa may have people with him, Adesanya made it clear that he won’t be alone either. Therefore, if the situation demands, Adesanya’s gang is ready to face-off against Costa’s.

Paulo Costa won’t gang up with Henry Cejudo as he is only 5ft 4 in

Ahead of his first world title shot, Costa is being helped by former UFC double champ Henry Cejudo. Even while helping the Brazilian, Cejudo kept at his cringe antics, calling Adesanya a ‘Pink Princess’. Although Cejudo will be of tremendous help in preparation for Costa, he isn’t the prototypical guy you would want in a fight outside the Octagon.

Costa knows this, and hence he sees no point in engaging with Adesanya outside the Octagon.

“The so-called gang he’s referring to is me, Eric Albarracin and Cejudo,” Costa said. “That shows how he is. It’s a huge joke. He’s afraid of Albarracin, Cejudo and I doing something to him, he said he was prepared with his gang, too. First of all, there’s no such thing as a gang. And second, if I had to have any gang I wouldn’t do it with Albarracin and Cejudo, who are 5-foot-4.”

With the mental warfare in full swing, the fans are only getting more and more excited for the fight. Not only is the clash stylistically great on paper, but it also comes with a genuine beef between the two. Hence, the fight is looking like a surefire pay-per-view seller.