Paulo Costa talked a big game before his fight with Israel Adesanya at UFC 253 on Saturday night, but despite being dominated leading up to a second round TKO loss to the champion, it seems the Brazilian has gone right back to calling out his rival.
“Hello, guys,” Costa said on Instagram video in his first post-fight statement. “I’m here to say thank you for all the support. I’m back already stronger and smarter.
“We had some mistakes, but the next time I will do better and get my gold. I’m not here to excuse something happened.
“It doesn’t matter. I’m focused on my goal.”
Later, Costa returned with another statement after apparently viewing highlights of his loss for the first time, which left him infuriated at what he saw as disrespectful post-fight antics from Adesanya.
“I come here to talk about the action the human trash did – the human trash did – after our fight,” Costa fumed.
“I didn’t see when I was down in the cage, but I saw now. I disapprove 100 percent. To me, this is not done now.
Nobody will stop me. Nobody can stop me. I am (coming) for you Adesanya. I want my rematch – and you know I’m waiting for you.”
“Something happened before the fight,” Costa said. “I’m not (making) an excuse here to my people and my fans.
I’ll be 100 percent to fight and make him pay. That’s my words. Save my words.”
Costa also made a plea to Dana White to book a rematch between them.
“Adesanya is human trash. This has become a grave situation ! I saw his disgusting action after fight and I will not stop until I have my revenge. @danawhite make this rematch happen.”
It might be tricky to persuade White to give him an immediate rematch right now though as the UFC President was less than impressed with Costa’s showing on Saturday night, telling reporters afterwards that he found the challengers performance “very weird”, while musing, “So much for ‘Fight of the Year’ – it was ‘Domination of the Year.”
