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UFC 253 is the first of a series of five events at the Flash Forum on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, and it should be a fantastic night of action headlined by the middleweight championship bout between Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa, while Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz battle it out for the vacant light-heavyweight title.

UFC 253 Predictions

Here we take a look at the biggest fights of the night and pick out the best bets.

Israel Adesanya vs Paulo Costa Betting Tips

Adesanya to win - BET NOW

Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya makes the second defence of his title against Brazilian knockout specialist Paulo Costa and it promises to be an entertaining contest between two of the most charismatic characters in the UFC. 

African-born New Zealander Adesanya has lit up the division since bursting onto the scene in 2018 and has instantly become a fan favourite with his unique fighting style and showmanship taken from Bruce Lee movies and Manga cartoons. 

A former kickboxer with 75 wins from 80 fights, he is undefeated in 19 MMA contests, and in 2019 he won the UFC title by knocking out Robert Whitaker in the second round in front of 57,127 people at the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.

Ricky Martin look-alike Costa was supposed to fight him earlier this year but sustained an injury and was forced to watch while Adesanya made a successful defence against Yoel Romero, beating him on points after five rounds. 

Costa has the power to knock Adesanya out - he has won all 13 of his pro MMA contests and only one has gone the distance - but the champion is a step up from his previous opponents, and the wealth of experience under Adesanya's belt should help him avoid Costa's big power shots, so back him to retain his title.

Dominick Reyes vs Jan Blachowicz Betting Tips

Reyes to win - BET NOW

Light-heavyweight contender Dominick Reyes has 12 wins and one defeat from 13 MMA contests, but it's the loss on his record that has seen his stock rise higher than any of his victories. 

In his last contest in February, Reyes challenged light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones, considered by many to be the greatest fighter in UFC history, and gave him the toughest fight of his career.

He lost the fight on the scorecards, although many people disagreed with the decision. But Jones later vacated the belt due to a contract dispute so Reyes gets another go, and this time he should get his hands on the belt.

Blachowicz has won his last three, but if Reyes brings the heat like he did against Jones he should prove too much for the Polish veteran. 

Kai Kara-France vs Brandon Royval Betting Tips

Kara-France to win - BET NOW

Lightweight Kai Kara-France has won nine of his last ten MMA fights and could prove too good for Brandan 'Raw Dawg' Royval. 

Royval has won all of his last three fights inside the distance, but Kara-France is technically superb with excellent conditioning and he can pick Royval apart for a win on the scorecards.

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