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Israel Adesanya retains UFC middleweight title with TKO of Paulo Costa

Look out, Conor McGregor. The UFC might have its next big, breakout star.

In a bout billed as one of the biggest in recent middleweight history, the charismatic Israel Adesanya made it look easy. Adesanya dominated Paulo Costa, culminating in a TKO at 2 minutes, 59 seconds of the second round in the main event of UFC 253 on Saturday night in Abu Dhabi.

With the victory, Adesanya notched his second successful UFC middleweight title defense.

It was only the second time in UFC history that two undefeated male fighters met in a title fight, and the first time since Rashad Evans vs.