UFC champ Israel Adesanya laughs off Ultimate Fighter claims from Paulo Costa’s coach – ‘since when?’
- Middleweight champ adamant he won’t coach alongside next challenger Costa on new season of reality TV show
- ‘I don’t know where this stuff came from,’ says Adesanya – ‘there’s a reason I’m not going to do that’
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has poured cold water over suggestions he may spearhead a revival of The Ultimate Fighter alongside challenger-in-waiting Paulo Costa.
Last month, Costa's coach Eric Albarracin piqued the ears of fans when he told MMA Junkie Radio that his fighter would coach next to Adesanya on the reality television show as part of the build-up to their inevitable and hugely anticipated title joust.
But that's news to “The Last Stylebender”. He's revealed he hasn't been approached by any parties regarding a potential marquee slot on the show.
“I don't know where this stuff about TUF came from because nobody told me about that,” Adesanya told SCMP MMA. “And then I start hearing online about ‘Paulo v Izzy for the return of The Ultimate Fighter’. I'm like, ‘What? Since when?’”
Last airing in 2018, the now-defunct show spanned 27 seasons, beginning back in 2005 with the iconic clash between Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar that was critical in helping the promotion first breach a mainstream audience.
