Costa wishes he delayed Adesanya bout: 'My leg was totally impaired'

Paulo Costa regrets not withdrawing from his September title fight against Israel Adesanya.

The former title challenger lost to the middleweight champion via second-round TKO at UFC 253. Costa said Tuesday that not pulling out of the contest and asking the promotion to push it back at least a week was a mistake.

"... Many things happened before that fight," Costa said during a YouTube livestream, according to MMA Fighting's Guilherme Cruz. "I don't like to talk (about it) because it might sound (like an) excuse, but I had no sleep, my leg was totally impaired, and I shouldn't have fought. I should have postponed it for the next weekend or more."

Days after the fight, Costa said he wanted an immediate rematch and that the result would go the other way. But with Adesanya expected to face Jan Blachowicz for the light heavyweight title, the Brazilian is now looking to book a matchup against former champ Robert Whittaker.

However, Costa still believes a second fight against "The Last Stylebender" would play out differently.

"I can say whatever I want and I won't be right, it will sound salty, but in reality, (Adesanya) doesn't convince me," Costa said. "I can fight him 10 times and all 10 times will be different."