Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
The UFC has released the cold open for tonight’s pay-per-view event and sets the table for a a rare and pivotal middleweight title fight between champ Israel Adesanya and challenger Paulo Costa.
It’s a rare meeting of two fighters undefeated in MMA, and it’s the top-billed attraction on a fight card that features a second title fight: a battle between Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz for the light heavyweight belt vacated by Jon Jones.
Narrated by the longtime voice of UFC promos, Ron Perlman, check out the feature above as the hours tick toward the fight card Saturday on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi.
You can also follow full UFC 253 results and get info on the event’s start time here.