Paulo Costa won’t make it to his April 17 headliner against Robert Whittaker.
Paulo Costa’s UFC return will have to wait for now. According to multiple reports, “Borrachinha” won’t compete in his scheduled April 17 headliner fight against Robert Whittaker because of a “severe flu.”
Ag.Fight first reported the news on Monday, which was later confirmed by MMA Fighting.
It’s not clear whether or not the UFC will either postpone the matchup or find another opponent for Whittaker. If they were going for the first option, the company is said to be looking at either May 1st or May 8th.
Costa had his first taste of defeat at UFC 253 last September when he challenged reigning 185-pound champion Israel Adesanya. The 29-year-old Brazilian lost via second-round TKO.
Whittaker also dealt with a loss to Adesanya a year and a half ago but has since bounced back with two victories. The 30-year-old Australian last saw action at UFC 254 last October against Jared Cannonier and won by unanimous decision.