Looks like this is now the fight to make at 185 lbs for the next title fight. How do you guys see this fight going ? I thought both fighters were very impressive in their last fights. I see two possible outcomes. Costa does what he did against Romero and pressures relentlessly forward and basically walks right through Adesanya and takes his soul in the first rd or two. Alternatively it is also possible we see Adesanya be elusive and pick Costa apart similar to how he dethroned Whitakker. Could see Adesanya eventually stopping a gassing Costa later in the fight or win a comfortable decision. I'm picking Costa to win myself. Who are you guys picking ?
Costa is ridiculously overpowered, and his tough fight against Romero is guaranteed to improve his game further. He also has a great brain trust behind him, including BJJ legend Walid Ismael and that Owen Meany looking guy who works with Henry Cejudo. But other than Costa's edge in power, Izzy had a major edge in overall striking. I think he'll control range and tempo, and I think he'll use his feinting game to keep Costa guessing about which side the next strikes will come from, whether it will be punches, elbows, knees or kicks, and whether it will be aimed at the head or body. What makes me cautious about picking Adesanya outright is that he is inconsistent. He looked great in his debut last year, but then looked majorly flawed in his next fight. Brilliant against Brad Tavares and Derek Brunson, but then weirdly out of sorts against Silva (although still won lopsidedly). He was put through hell against Kelvin but demolishes Robert Whittaker with ease.
Costa would have lost to Romero had it been a 5 round headliner. Romero paced himself like it was a 5 rounder and payed for it. Costa won albeit barely. Still not convinced in the dude. I don't think he can fight a hard 5 rounds.
Personally I’ve got Adesanya using his striking advantage and judging of range to stop costa from launching his own offence. Got Adesanya winning either a wide decision or a round 3 ko as can see Adesanya stepping it up against Costa due to their beef
Costa is a beast with relentless pressure. Took some hard shots from Romero and didn’t fold. Adesanya will test his chin again and should win if he shows his best striking game. Hellacious match, if it doesn’t end too quick
I'm kinda split on Izzy. World class striker - no doubt. But his defense relies only on head movement. Though he will be the favorite, there is a chance Costa can land some on Izzy's chin. And we know he has the power to end it with one punch.
I think MW will be a hot potato/musical chairs kind of situation for a while now. If anyone of the current crop was going to be a long term belt holder it was Whittaker.
Rob Costa and depending on how many years left the drugs wlll buy him Romero all fighting brutally for the strap. Feel real bad for Rob - guy's natural and he's got these two roided goliaths to contest with
Yeah Robs banged up. He's the most talented guy in the division easily. He threw his normally good fight IQ out the window last time out though. Hoping he can rebound from this. Maybe Cannonier next?
