UFC 253 Results: Israel Adesanya Destroys Paulo Costa To Defend UFC Middleweight Title

Adesanya made a second defence of his belt after stopping Costa in the second round of their championship showdown on 'Fight Island' on Saturday.

The champion peppered Costa's lead leg with stinging low kicks which stopped him in his tracks.

He continued his striking assault by landing a high kick before dropping him three minutes into the second round.

Adesanya then ended the fight on the mat with some vicious ground and pound.

Speaking about his dominant victory, he said: "I've been telling you guys. Like Roy Jones said, ya'll must have forgot. Ya'll must have forgot.

"I see you media people with your little clickbait headlines. I had to make ya'll remember."

He also says Jared Cannonier is next in line for a UFC middleweight title shot if he beats Robert Whittaker next month.

"I already DM'd Jared Cannonier," he told Jon Anik, inside the Octagon. "You destroy Robert Whittaker and you're next."

The Nigerian-born Kiwi fighter moves to 20-0 (9-0 in the UFC) and boasts victories over the likes of Kelvin Gastelum and Whittaker.

Costa's loss is the first of his professional career.

The Brazilian insists he'll be back stronger after suffering his first defeat.

"I will back stronger, very soon! Thank you all," he wrote on Twitter.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Adesanya def. Costa by TKO (punches) at 3:59 of Round 2.