Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker is set to face former title challenger Paulo Costa in the co-main event of UFC 298. Whittaker is entering the bout following a brutal TKO loss to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 291 in a significant upset.
UFC 298, headlined by Alexander Volkanovski and Ilia Topuria, is among the highly anticipated PPVs of 2024. The event also features a crucial welterweight clash between Ian Garry and Geoff Neal, as well as a potential number-one contender bantamweight fight between Henry Cejudo and Merab Dvalishvili.
Robert Whittaker sends chilling warning to Costa ahead of UFC 298
Robert Whittaker, along with Alexander Volkanovski, Josh Quinlan, and Justin Tafa, were at the UFC 298 Sydney press conference. At the press conference, Whittaker sent a chilling message to his opponent at UFC 298; Paulo Costa.
“You know, the Dricus camp and the fight itself is a good wake-up call,” said Whittaker of the positive aspects he gained from the knockout loss to Dricus du Plessis, who went on to claim the middleweight title at UFC 297. “Like, I’m coming into this fight hungrier than ever,” Whittaker further added.
Robert Whittaker: "I'm not just in this fight to win, I'm in it to hurt Costa." pic.twitter.com/vSooJ5lK8Z
— Oscar Willis (@oscarswillis) February 2, 2024
“I’ve been really focusing on trying to bring that animal back. I’m not just in this fight to win; I’m in it to hurt Costa, and I think that mentality is a powerful thing to have,” Whittaker sent a bone-chilling warning to the Brazilian Costa. “And just becoming Champion again too,” Whittaker further added.
Paulo Costa was initially slated to face Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 but withdrew due to a staph infection, leading to Kamaru Usman stepping in on 10 days’ notice. Costa was involved in a scuffle with fans during UFC 294, where Chimaev secured a majority decision victory over Usman.
Win for Rob Whittaker to throw him into title picture
Robert Whittaker lost the middleweight title to Israel Adesanya at UFC 243 and was unsuccessful in his attempt to reclaim the title at UFC 271. Originally, Adesanya and Whittaker were expected to fight at UFC 293 in Australia. However, Whittaker lost the number one contender fight at UFC 291 to Dricus du Plessis.
Subsequently, DDP faced Sean Strickland at UFC 297, winning the title via a controversial split decision after Strickland had caused a massive upset against Adesanya at UFC 293. Post victory at UFC 297, du Plessis called for a title defense against Adesanya at UFC 300 as the PPV headliner. Izzy has also expressed interest in the fight via multiple social media posts.
The current middleweight title picture has become a blessing in disguise for Robert Whittaker. As UFC 298 and UFC 300 are close in date, the winner of Paulo Costa versus Robert Whittaker could potentially get the winner of Adesanya versus du Plessis.
Another fighter waiting in the wings for a title shot is Khamzat Chimaev. The Chechen fighter and Kamaru Usman fought for a number one contender fight for the middleweight title at UFC 294. Nonetheless, a victory at UFC 298 could potentially leapfrog Whittaker over Chimaev.
Do you think Robert Whittaker will become champion again? Leave your prediction below!
