Back to the Top News Newsfeed

Report: Israel Adesanya to Defend Middleweight Title vs. Paulo Costa at UFC 253 on Sept. 19

UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya is set to defend his title against Paulo Costa at UFC 253 on Sept. 19, according to Combate and confirmed by ESPN's Ariel Helwani.

Adesanya (19-0) and Costa (13-0) will mark the second time in UFC history that two undefeated males will fight for an undisputed title, following Rashad Evans and Lyoto Machida's light heavyweight bout at UFC 98 in 2008. The event is set to take place in either Las Vegas, Nev. or at UFC's fight island in Abu Dhabi, but is yet to be determined due to the coronavirus pandemic, per Helwani.