UFC 253 predictions: Adesanya v Costa preview, odds & UK TV times

The UFC moves back to Fight Island in Abu Dhabi for UFC 253, with Israel Adesanya defending his UFC middleweight title against Paulo Costa and Dominick Reyes taking on Jan Blachowicz for the vacant UFC light-heavyweight title.

Where to watch UFC 253

UFC 253 is live on BT Sport 1 in the UK. Prelims start at 1am and the main card starts at 3am, September 27 2020. Early prelims are available on UFC Fight Pass.

UFC 253 card & fight odds

Main card
Israel Adesanya (8-13) v Paulo Costa (6-4)
Dominick Reyes (4-11) v Jan Blachowicz (23-10)
Kai Kara-France (4-9) v Brandon Royval (2-1)
Ketlen Vieira (8-13) v Sijara Eubanks (6-4)
Hakeem Dawodu (21-20) v Zubaira Tukhugov (Evs)

Prelims
Brad Riddell (3-10) v Alex Da Silva (13-5)
Diego Sanchez (5-1) v Jake Matthews (2-11)
Shane Young (4-5) v Ludovit Klein (11-2)
William Knight (6-4) v Aleksa Camur (8-13)

Early prelims (UFC Fight Pass)
Juan Espino (4-11) v Jeff Hughes (23-10)
Khadis Ibragimov (8-13) v Danilo Marques (6-4)

*Guide prices only

UFC 253 preview & predictions

Two UFC titles are on the line as the UFC returns to Fight Island in Abu Dhabi.

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya takes on Brazilian power-puncher Paulo Costa in what promises to be an explosive main event.

A former kickboxing champion, Adesanya has lit up the division since bursting onto the scene two years ago. He's defending the belt he won last year with a second-round KO of Robert Whittaker, then defended in March with a points victory over Yoel Romero.

Costa is a knockout specialist who has finished all but one of his 13 opponents, and both men are undefeated in MMA.

Costa has the power to knock Adesanya out, but the champion could be hard to nail down and if he survives the first couple of rounds he should be able to pick Costa apart and win on the scorecards, or possibly even a late stoppage.

The co-main event sees Dominick Reyes as the betting favourite to beat Jan Blachowicz for the vacant UFC light-heavyweight title.

Reyes lost his undefeated record in his last fight, but it sent his profile skyrocketing. He put up a tremendous fight for five rounds against champion Jon Jones and many pundits thought he should have been handed victory by the judges.

Jones has since vacated the belt as he eyes the crown UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic, so Reyes gets another shot and it's one he should take.

Both men are extremely durable, so back Reyes to win by decision.

Betting picks

Israel Adesanya to beat Paulo Costa by decision
1pt 4-1 Betfred

Dominick Reyes to beat Jan Blachowicz by decision
1pt 11-4 bet365

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