Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa took part in an explosive pre-fight interview ahead of their middleweight title bout at UFC 253.
Middleweight champion Adesanya and No.1 contender Costa got into a heated verbal exchange on ESPN.
The Nigerian-born Kiwi fighter launched an expletive-filled rant at the Brazilian star who fired back by slamming his way of promoting UFC 253.
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"I don't like these kind of [trash-talkers] and I believe the fans [don't] also," he said.
"This sport don't need this kind of attitude. You don't need this to sell a good fight. You just need to go and make a good fight."
'The Eraser' continued by aiming a dig at Adesanya's last performance against Yoel Romero at UFC 248.
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'The Last Stylebender' hit back: "He's dumb and he walks forward and he throws shots. That's what makes it really exciting and that's what I'm looking forward to.
"I'm looking forward to a big, inflated ignoramus running up on me, trying to throw shots as I keep moving and sticking him."
Costa added: "I will face you very, very soon, and I will have an opportunity to show you what I tried to show on that moment."
Adesanya then encouraged Costa to bring the fight as he continued with his "dumb" taunt.
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"When someone brings the fight, I f**king fight," he said.
"You say you're gonna bring the fight, right? Bring that sh*t... Yes [Costa is] dumb, but that's what makes him dangerous as well because he's not scared to walk forward and throw and he's strong, but the same thing happens when they step in the cage with me, when they see me and feel me, they say, 'Oh my God, he's a lot stronger than I thought. Oh my God, he's a lot bigger than I thought.' It's nothing different."
Adesanya vs. Costa will serve as the main-event of UFC 253 on September 26 with a location yet to be determined.
Featured Image Credit: ESPN/ESPNTopics:Β UFC News, UFC 253, Fight News, UFC, Israel Adesanya
