Israel Adesanya punches Paulo Costa in their middleweight championship bout during UFC 253. Photo / Getty
Israel Adesanya punches Paulo Costa in their middleweight championship bout during UFC 253. Photo / Getty
It doesn't get much more humiliating than a flurry of punches and elbows to the head - followed by an obscene gesture.
But it was personal between Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa — and the Kiwi middleweight champion had no hesitation in embarrassing the Brazilian after his second-round TKO win at UFC 253.
Adesanya completely dominated his previously unbeaten opponent before catching him with a left hook to the side of the head to begin the end of proceedings on Sunday.
He mounted a man he'd described as "one of those dogs that barks behind the fence" in the lead-up to their fight and began raining down heavy shots.
After referee Jason Herzog intervened to wave off the fight, Adesanya appeared to grab Costa by the back and thrusted his hips forward aggressively.
After Costa attempted to mock the Nigerian-born fighter at the weigh-in by wearing a black belt around his waist and throwing a white belt — which is a beginner's belt — at Adesanya, the champ had a roaring response.
"I wrap my d*** around my waist as a black belt," Adesanya yelled as he marched victorious around the cage.
Manhood talk aside, it was a masterclass from the 20-0 champion against a hulk who was supposed to be his biggest challenge in the division.
From the outset Adesanya kept the challenger at a distance and picked him apart with constant kicks landing clean on Costa's lead leg. At the end of the opening round the outside of Costa's left leg was bright red.
As the second round got underway, Adesanya went straight back to work on the leg with Costa simply unable to close the gap and get at the champ.
Israel Adesanya punches Paulo Costa in their middleweight championship bout during UFC 253. Photo / Getty
A high left kick landed on the temple of Costa and cut him open before an Adesanya left hook grazed Costa's head and dropped him to the canvas before ground and pound brought the bout to an end.
"I still have to watch it again, little bit sloppy, but I'm a dog and I do what I do," Adesanya said.
"I still don't like him. I don't know him personally, I don't wish he dies or anything, he's alive, I let him be alive.
"This is the game we play, this is violence and I told you guys that it was going to be violent and I said it, it's going to be violent and it's going to end fast and that's what I did."
It makes it four UFC title wins for Adesanya, moving him into second all-time, and also second all-time on the longest UFC win streaks with nine.
"The best, and most sophisticated striker in the sport!! Holy f*** that was amazing!! Congrats to the champ!!" UFC commentator Joe Rogan wrote.
Adesanya will now await the winner of an October 24 showdown between Aussie Robert Whittaker and Jared Cannonier.
The champ revealed after the fight he had messaged Cannonier telling him to take care of business against the former champ because he wanted to fight him next, not Whittaker.
"I already DM'd Jared Cannonier. He's a hell of a dude. I love his energy. He's a beautiful man," Adesanya said. "I said you destroy Robert Whittaker and you're next.
"He's the one I want to fight next. He deserves it. If he beats Robert Whittaker handily and dominates him, he's next."
