In my opinion, Costa is the most dangerous striker Izzy has ever faced in MMA.
Dude puts on more pressure than Izzy has ever seen or dealt with in his life. Costa is also absolutely fearless, doesn't give a fuckk if he gets hit, has a granite chin—and even being dropped doesn't slow Costa down one bit. I don't think there's anyone in the division who is gamer, and really looking to go toe-to-toe, in a nonstop slugfest, like Costa
I believe Costa is also 100x times tougher than Izzy, and that Izzy's only chance is to catch him cold, early.
There seems to be "a certain point" were Costa goes into overdrive; usually, when the pace picks up and things get heated. Costa almost thrives on exhaustion; and he is a brutal body puncher in every round. In fact, Costa is probably the most brutal body puncher the division has ever seen—not to mention one of the most devastating head punchers—and he uses kicks also.
Costa's pressure, his power, and his continued mixing of brutal body shots plus huad shots are going to be laid-out at a pace I don't think the flimsy Izzy will be able to handle.
Izzy got away from getting KO'd by Yoel Romero, because both were afraid to engage. (You may recall that Costa laughed at them both.)
I think Costa is right by criticizing Izzy for not "fighting like a champion," by that Costa meant with aggression and power.
Costa is going to bring both to Izzy, and I think Izzy will not be prepared to deal with it, and will wilt to the body attack after round 3.
In fact, the best way to deal with tall fighters who lean back like that *is* to brutalize the body, and Paolo Costa will give Izzy extra helpings of this throughout the entire fight.