Costa Hunts Down, Smashes Skinny Sparring Partner

If Paul Costa is spending as much time on his training as he is on his trolling, then reigning UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is going to be in big trouble when the cage door closes in the UFC 253 pay-per-view (PPV) main event on Sept. 26 on “Fight Island.”

Costa (13-0) is keeping with the “skinny guy who runs” narrative ahead of this month’s title fight and while I doubt “The Last Stylebender” is going to be rattled with all the digital hazing, the pre-fight tomfoolery has at least served as comic relief during these difficult days.

“I really think he has good skills,” Costa recently told ESPN. “His best skill is running away – avoid the fight. He’s very good at that – very good when he wants to do that. I tried to ask him why he just stood when he faced Romero. The only thing more disturbing than his hair was his fight against Romero.”

Adesanya (19-0), who captured the division crown by smashing Robert Whittaker last October, is coming off a tepid decision win over Yoel Romero back in March. Costa (13-0) also marched past “Soldier of God” his last time out and makes his long-awaited return after undergoing biceps surgery.

Jacked arms vs. skinny legs … who wins?