After making his UFC debut, Israel Adesanya quickly rose through the ranks and dispatched opponents. Despite his dominant performances, some UFC fighters and fans taunted the Nigerian because of his slender physique. Among his opponents constantly criticizing Adesanya’s physique was the Brazilian Paulo Costa. In the lead-up to their fight, Costa flaunted his bodybuilding physique and called Adesanya “skinny.”

However, after their fight at UFC 253 in 2020, the former middleweight champion appeared live on the UFC 253 post-show on ESPN+. During his conversation with host Paul Felder, Adesanya spoke about the comments on his physique. He explained the difference between bodybuilding and MMA and revealed why muscle mass doesn’t help inside the octagon.

Fighting and bodybuilding are not similar

While appearing in the post-show on ESPN+, Israel Adesanya said he didn’t care about the muscularity of a fighter’s physique. Despite having a chiseled body suitable for bodybuilding shows, Costa lost to Adesanya by technical knockout. “This ain’t bodybuilding. This ain’t Mr. Olympia. I don’t give a f*** how you look.” the former middleweight champion told Felder.

“I got Skinny shins, and I cut you (Paulo Costa). You can talk about physique all you want.” said the Nigerian. He compared his shins with sharp weapons that cut Costa when connected with kicks to the calf or the head. The fundamental difference between fighting for five rounds and sculpting the perfect physique is the requirement of cardiovascular capacity.

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While having muscle mass may help improve power, more muscle also means reduced cardio. During the fight, Costa looked gassed. However, Izzy seemed fresh, even though he moved more than the Brazilian. The former UFC middleweight champion also said Costa’s loss was a lesson to those who think guys with big muscles have an inherent advantage in a mixed martial arts bout.

Isreal Adesanya had heard it all before

After handing Paulo Costa his first career loss at UFC 253, Adesanya said Costa wasn’t the first fighter to comment on his physique. In 2018, UFC middleweight Derek Brunson called the Nigerian skinny too. “You’re built like a senior citizen. I’m not worried about you, boy.” Said Brunson during the UFC 230 press conference.

However, when the two faced off inside the octagon, Brunson couldn’t cope with the middleweight. Adesanya defended Brunson’s takedowns and knocked him out in the first round. During the UFC 253 post-show, the Nigerian recalled what he told Brunson. “Let’s go… I’ll show you who’s skinny, and I did the same thing tonight,” said the former champion.

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