Adesanya and Costa (right) (photo via Instagram)

By FCF Staff

Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa have fired numerous insults and warnings at each other in the preceding months. But, when the two ran into each other in Abu Dhabi, ahead of their bout this Saturday at UFC 253, the stars keep it respectful.

Costa’s manager, Wallid Ismael, captured the encounter on video.

View this post on Instagram

Warriors only fight in the cage, they may have a personal problem, but they will solve everything in the octagon🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀 os Guerreiros so lutam no cage, podem se odiar, mais vao resolver tudo no Octagono 26 de setembro AO VIVO no @canalcombate

A post shared by Wallid Ismail (@wallidjfc) on Sep 20, 2020 at 1:53am PDT

Since Adesanya (19-0) and Costa (13-0) started rising the middleweight ranks, the undefeated fighters have traded verbal jabs regarding each other’s physique and abilities.

The champion Adesanya is coming off a decision win over Yoel Romero this past March, and Costa hasn’t fought since last August, when he defeated Romero by decision.