Israel Adesanya predicts UFC 302 co-main event between former opponents Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa
Israel Adesanya is better placed than most to predict the UFC 302 co-main event.
Former middleweight champion Sean Strickland will look to get back into title contention when he takes on long-time contender Paulo Costa at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Saturday night.
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Adesanya infamously got carried away while celebrating his knockout win over Costa during his first reign as 185lb king in September 2020.
‘The Last Stylebender’ saw his second stint as champion come to an end when Strickland dropped and outpointed him at UFC 293 three years later.
Ahead of UFC 302, he’s offered his thoughts on what Strickland and Costa need to do to get back in the win column following their respective defeats to Dricus du Plessis and Robert Whittaker.
“It’ll be interesting,” Adesanya said about the UFC 302 co-main event on his .
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"I think it’s just going to be on the feet, kickboxing, boxing. Costa might get jabbed the f*** out in this one. He’s definitely going to get tired, and Strickland is going to take advantage of that.
“Costa to win, what would Costa have to do? Would 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, go jab-for-jab with Strickland. Also, mix up the grappling, just to get him tired as well.
“Strickland, do what he does. Pressure, use his jab. I think front kicks will be a problem for Costa, dealing with them when Strickland throws them.”
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Ultimately, Adesanya predicted that Strickland would emerge with the win this weekend but he told his viewers to expect the last man to beat him to need the judges against Costa.
He added: “I’m going to pick Strickland in this fight. I’m going to say it’s going to go the distance. He’s not going to finish him."
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Adesanya hasn’t fought since his shock loss to Strickland in September 2023.
However, he has been strongly linked to a return fight against the new champion, du Plessis, who edged out a split decision win over Strickland in January.
Du Plessis vs Adesanya is expected to take place at UFC 305 in Perth on August 18, but the fight has not been made official by Dana White yet.
UFC 304, which takes place three weeks prior in Manchester, is virtually complete after 14 fight announcements, so surely more information about UFC 305 will be dropping soon.
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