Tag: Robert Whittaker

Robert Whittaker targets August return against Sean Strickland after UFC 298 win: ‘He’s in the sights’

Robert Whittaker eyes August return against Sean Strickland after UFC 298 he's in the sightsFormer undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker has confirmed plans to make a return to the Octagon as soon as…

Robert Whittaker eyes August return against Sean Strickland after UFC 298 he's in the sights

Former undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker has confirmed plans to make a return to the Octagon as soon as August, targeting a fight against fellow former titleholder, Sean Strickland – after his unanimous decision win over Paulo Costa earlier this month at UFC 298.

Whittaker, who holds the number three rank in the middleweight pile, returned to the winner’s enclosure at UFC 298 earlier this month in Anaheim, turning in a decision win over former title chaser, Costa in the pair’s co-main event outing.

The walk came as Whittaker’s first since he featured on the main card of UFC 290 back in July during International Fight Week, where he suffered a stunning second round TKO loss to Dricus du Plessis – after the newly-crowned champion earned a stoppage win at the Octagon fence.

Robert Whittaker weighs up Sean Strickland fight

And welcoming the possibility of a rematch with Pretoria native in order to avenge his loss and strike gold, Whittaker claimed a potential title-eliminator against former titleholder, Strickland is also on his radar.

“I’m angling towards the gold,” Robert Whittaker said during an appearance on the MMArcade Podcast. “I wanna reclaim my belt, you know. And I would love to run it back with Dricus (du Plessis) – especially ‘cause he’s got the gold as well, so it’s two-in-one, right?”

“But I do understand that (Sean) Strickland is in – is in line, like in the sights a little bit,” Robert Whittaker explained. “Everyone’s talking about him a lot, he’s at the top. And that kinda gives me the path to the gol that I’m longing for. So, I’m not really fussed on the opponent at the moment. 

Sidelined since January, Strickland most recently dropped a split decision loss to common-foe, du Plessis, in which he lost his middleweight title in the main event of UFC 297 in Canada. 

Who do you thinks wins in a future fight: Robert Whittaker or Sean Strickland?

Is Sean Strickland vs. Robert Whittaker next? Coach Eric Nicksick believes that is the fight to make

Sean StricklandXtreme Couture coach Eric Nicksick likes the idea of Sean Strickland stepping inside the Octagon with another former middleweight…

Sean Strickland

Xtreme Couture coach Eric Nicksick likes the idea of Sean Strickland stepping inside the Octagon with another former middleweight champion — Robert Whittaker.

After pulling off a stunning upset against Israel Adesanya in September to claim the 185-pound crown, Strickland surrendered the title to Dricus Du Plessis in his first defense at UFC 297. A month later, Whittaker bounced back following a second-round knockout loss against DDP by outworking one-time title challenger Paulo Costa at UFC 298 in Anaheim.

Asked about a potential meeting between the former champions, Nicksick had plenty of positive things to say about ‘The Reaper’ and his impressive middleweight run over the years.

“It’s a great fight,” Nicksick told MMA Junkie Radio. “I still think Robert’s the most talented from top to bottom in the division, in my opinion. I think he has the most skill set and is the most dangerous. I’ve always been a huge fan of Robert Whittaker. I’ve stolen a lot of techniques off of him, things that he’s done.

“I’ve seen him in the locker room, warming up, doing things that I put in my database and taken for good reason. I think he’s one of the best 185ers to ever do it, and I think had it not been for Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker would have been holding that belt for a long period of time.”

Over the last year, Strickland has emerged as the promotion’s most polarizing figure. In turn, his star power has skyrocketed, making him a beloved figure among fight fans all over the world and Nicksick has no problem with ‘Tarzan’ staying active to capitalize on his growing popularity.

“He’s a prize fighter, and I think money talks,” Nicksick said. “So, he’s in a position where he can maximize on his value in the situation that he’s in, then why not? Why not go fight? He hasn’t been taking a whole lot of damage other than the Alex Pereira fight, so he’s relatively healthy. He’s still back in the room, he’s still training hard, he’s doing everything he’s supposed to do.”

Sean Strickland and Robert Whittaker currently occupy the No. 1 and No. 3 spots in the middleweight top 10.

Robert Whittaker outworks Paulo Costa, fights his way back into the win column via UD – UFC 298 Highlights

Robert WhittakerRobert Whittaker got back into the win column with a fantastic performance against the returning Paulo Costa in their…

Robert Whittaker

Robert Whittaker got back into the win column with a fantastic performance against the returning Paulo Costa in their UFC 298 co-main event.

The opening round was fairly competitive with Whittaker gaining a small advantage via a series of nasty calf kicks to Costa’s lead leg. However, ‘The Eraser’ appeared to steal the round with a perfectly timed spinning heel kick in the closing seconds that had Whittaker on rubber legs.

Despite being bloodied and battered, Whittaker appeared to be the fresher fighter throughout the second round. ‘The Reaper’ continued to attack Costa’s leg and blasted the one-time title challenger with a brilliant one-two combination.

With the contest potentially tied at 1-1, Costa came out with a sense of urgency, but it did nothing to deter Whittaker from going on the attack. With three minutes to go, Costa was calling for Whittaker to stand in the center and bang with him. Whittaker refused to take the bait and stuck to his game plan.

Costa once again attempted to land the spinning heel kick, but Costa saw it coming this time and avoided the danger. With 10 seconds to go, Whittaker briefly attempted a takedown before bailing out and landing another solid combination as the final horn sounded.

Official Result: Robert Whittaker def. Paulo Costa via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Check Out Highlights From Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa at UFC 298: 

https://twitter.com/Bzrsports/status/1759083654821671077

Video – Paulo Costa successfully makes weight for return fight with Robert Whittaker at UFC 298

Paulo Costa successfully makes weight for UFC 298 fight with Robert WhittakerYet to tip the scales since he featured back in 2022, former middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa did so…

Paulo Costa successfully makes weight for UFC 298 fight with Robert Whittaker

Yet to tip the scales since he featured back in 2022, former middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa did so successfully today ahead of his return to the Octagon at UFC 298 this weekend, as he takes on Robert Whittaker in a potential title-eliminator.

Costa, the current number six ranked middleweight contender, has been sidelined from the Octagon since he took main card honors back in 2022, landing a unanimous decision win over former UFC and Strikeforce middleweight titleholder, Luke Rockhold.

Booked to co-headline UFC 294 back in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Costa was forced from a grudge fight with the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev – suffering a nasty bursitis infection in his elbow, resulting in multiple surgical procedures. 

Paulo Costa successfully makes weight for UFC 298

And slated to come back at UFC 298 this weekend at the Honda Center, Belo Horizonte native, Costa takes on former undisputed champion, Whittaker – and for the first time in almost two years, the Brazilian successfully made weight – tipping 185.5 pounds for his co-headliner with the fan-favorite.

Dropping just two professional losses in his career, Brazilian powerhouse, Costa suffered a knockout defeat in an unsuccessful title charge against common-foe, Israel Adesanya – before then forcing an impromptu light heavyweight fight – and subsequent defeat to Marvin Vettori. 

Over the course of his tenure in the Dana White-led promotion, Costa has turned in notable wins over the likes of Luke Rockhold, Yoel Romero, Uriah Hall, and former champion, Johny Hendricks. 

Who wins at UFC 298 this weekend: Robert Whittaker or Paulo Costa?

Paulo Costa shuts down Khamzat Chimaev grudge fight after UFC 298: ‘He didn’t beat anybody’

Paulo Costa shuts down fight with Khamzat Chimaev after UFC 298 he didn't beat anybodyAhead of his return to the Octagon this weekend at UFC 298, former undisputed middleweight champion, Paulo Costa appears…

Paulo Costa shuts down fight with Khamzat Chimaev after UFC 298 he didn't beat anybody

Ahead of his return to the Octagon this weekend at UFC 298, former undisputed middleweight champion, Paulo Costa appears to have shut down the idea of a rescheduled showdown with long-time rival, Khamzat Chimaev in the future, questioning who of note the Chechen has beaten.

Costa, the current number six ranked middleweight contender, has been sidelined since 2022, most recently landing a unanimous decision win over former undisputed divisional champion, Luke Rockhold.

And forced from a slated title-eliminator against the unbeaten, Chimaev at UFC 294 back in October of last year, Costa was forced from the Abu Dhabi, UAE clash – after contracting a nasty bursitis infection in his elbow, resulting in a slew of surgical procedures to address the setback.

Booked to feature in the co-main event of UFC 298 this weekend in Anaheim, Costa takes on former titleholder, Robert Whittaker in another rebooked fight.

Paulo Costa rules out Khamzat Chimaev fight after UFC 298

And staking his claim for a second shot at middleweight gold – currently held by Dricus du Plessis, Costa has shot down the idea of a grudge match with Chimaev in the future, questioning who the Chechen contender has defeated of note.

“Of course, everybody knows I don’t like the guy (Khamzat Chimaev),” Paulo Costa told assembled media during his availability ahead of UFC 298. “But I don’t think too much people take him so serious anymore. He just stopped to fight – he didn’t beat anybody in the middleweight division. He didn’t beat anybody in the top 15 [of the] middleweight division.”

“… I like this beef between countries and cultures, and two guys,” Paulo Costa explained. “But after beating (Robert) Whittaker, bro, I will not want to hear his (Chimaev) name. F*ck him. He need to do something. He needs to beat somebody at the top – at least top ten in the middleweight [division]. And I don’t think he’s capable to (sic) do that.”

Do you think Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev ever settle their differences? 

UFC 298 Predictions: Bleacher Report Main Card Staff Picks

UFC 298 goes down this Saturday at the Honda Center in Anaheim, which means it’s time for another round of pre-fight predictions from the B/R combat sports…

UFC 298 goes down this Saturday at the Honda Center in Anaheim, which means it’s time for another round of pre-fight predictions from the B/R combat sports…