Israel Adesanya has called middleweight rival Paolo Costa a 'dirty fighter,' accusing the title contender of doping just days from their fight.
The UFC middleweight champion will defend his title against Costa at UFC 253, a week on Saturday, and he has further stoked the flames of their rivalry with his latest claim.
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Costa claimed recently that he's not been tested by USADA whilst at home in Brazil and, when asked in an episode of Hot Ones, Adesanya didn't hold back in saying the Brazilian was a dirty fighter.
"The dirtiest fighter in the sport? There's a few," the champ said.
"Even the guy I'm fighting next, I'm going to pop him before USADA does. He definitely has got some extra supplements south of the border he takes.
"He even came out to say he hasn't been tested! I just got tested last night. I don't understand the stress it does to cheat."
Costa fuelled the talk of not being tested himself, on his video blog. In his latest episode, titled 'FINALLY USADA CAME TO TEST ME!' the undefeated 29-year-old claimed it was the first time he'd been tested recently.
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Looking into the camera Costa said, "Is USADA coming to Brazil? It's the first time USADA comes. I didn't even know USADA existed in Brazil. The last test was done in Arizona."
However it seems that he's just trolling his upcoming opponent as the UFC USADA page confirms he's had seven tests this year, with five of them very recently.
Costa was expected to challenge Adesanya earlier this year, after extending his record to 19-0 with a win over Yoel Romero in August 2019, however a bicep injury delayed his title fight.
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Instead it was Romero who fought the Last Stylebender and UFC 248 back in March, in one of oddest UFC title fights seen.
A week on Saturday is certainly going to be more explosive than the fight earlier this year.
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