Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has laid out Paulo Costa’s path to victory over Sean Strickland this weekend.
Adesanya will no doubt have a keen eye on Saturday’s UFC 302 pay-per-view event in Newark, New Jersey, where two of his former opponents are set to do battle in a five-round co-main event.
Months on from his rule over the division coming to an end in his first defense at UFC 297, Strickland will look to earn a shot at championship redemption at the expense of one-time title challenger Costa.
When it comes to breaking down the skillsets of both men and their best hopes of having their hand raised inside Prudential Center, nobody is better placed than “The Last Stylebender.”
Adesanya Explains What Costa Must Do At UFC 302
During a video recently uploaded to his FREESTYLEBENDER YouTube channel, Adesanya provided his thoughts and predictions on this Saturday’s numbered event.
Having prepared to throw down with Strickland himself and shared the Octagon with “Tarzan” for 25 minutes, “The Last Stylebender” is in a strong position to offer some advice for another of his former foes in Costa.
“Costa, to win — what would Costa have to do? He’ll have to be aggressive, use body kicks, and also just use his jab. Even if he might not land all of them, or some of them, use his jab as well. Go jab for jab with Strickland,” Adesanya said. “And also mix up the grappling, just to get him (Strickland) tired as well.”
Adesanya evidently isn’t too confident in Costa following the advice to a tee, though, as he went on to predict victory for Strickland at UFC 302.
That could pave the way for a potential rematch between the Nigerian-New Zealander and his most recent opponent. Adesanya is expected to serve as the first challenger to Dricus Du Plessis later this year, where a win could set up a second dance for either man opposite a victorious “Tarzan” on Saturday night.
Working for the weekend 👊@SStricklandMMA | #UFC302 pic.twitter.com/MbBA3LT0Xw
— UFC (@ufc) May 31, 2024
