Tag: Robert Whittaker

Robert Whittaker vows to defeat Dricus du Plessis in rematch after UFC 298: ‘I’m a better fighter than he is’

Robert Whittaker vows to defeat Dricus du Plessis in rematch after UFC 298 I'm a better fighter than himFormer undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker claims that if he fights newly-crowned divisional titleholder, Dricus du Plessis in a…

Robert Whittaker vows to defeat Dricus du Plessis in rematch after UFC 298 I'm a better fighter than him

Former undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker claims that if he fights newly-crowned divisional titleholder, Dricus du Plessis in a rematch after his return to the Octagon at UFC 298 this month, he will avenge his loss to the South African.

Whittaker, a former undisputed middleweight champion and perennial contender at the weight class, has been sidelined since he featured against the Pretoria native in an officially billed title eliminator back in July of last year during International Fight Week.

Suffering his first loss in the division to a fighter other than two-time foe, fellow former kingpin, Israel Adesanya, Whittaker was stopped with a flurry of second round ground strikes following a knockdown for a TKO blemish.

Robert Whittaker eyes rematch with Dricus du Plessis

And drawing former title challenger, Paulo Costa in two weeks’ time at UFC 298 in Anaheim, Whittaker, who vowed to severely “hurt” the Brazilian in their pivotal clash, and when reflecting on his matchup with du Plessis las summer, claimed if they fought again – he beats him nine times out of 10.

“Dricus (du Plessis) is a hungry guy, and I think I underestimated that hunger,” Robert Whittaker told assembled media at a UFC 298 press event in Sydney. “I still believe I beat him nine times out of 10, I still believe that I’m a better fighter than he is, that I have a better skill set than he does, but [fighting] a big, strong, hungry guy that’s willing to leave it all in there, you need to match that. I feel like I didn’t do that in that last fight and it really made me think a little bit.” 

Himself expected to make his own return in a title fight against the above-mentioned, Adesanya, du Plessis has been linked with a massive headlining fight on a monumental UFC 300 card in April. 

Who wins in a title rematch after UFC 298: Dricus du Plessis or Robert Whittaker?

Robert Whittaker vows to ‘Hurt’ Paulo Costa at UFC 298: ‘I’m coming into this fight hungrier than ever’

Robert Whittaker vows to hurt Paulo Costa in UFC 298 fight I'm hungrier than everEx-middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker may have had his suspicions that his announced UFC 298 clash with former title challenger,…

Robert Whittaker vows to hurt Paulo Costa in UFC 298 fight I'm hungrier than ever

Ex-middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker may have had his suspicions that his announced UFC 298 clash with former title challenger, Paulo Costa may actually take place this time around following a February fall out last year. However, with pen now put to paper on a deal, the Australian has vowed to “hurt” Costa in their re-worked clash later this month.

Whittaker, the current number three ranked middleweight contender, has been sidelined from the Octagon since he featured on the main card of UFC 290 back in July during International Fight Week.

Suffering his first divisional loss at 185 pounds outside of his pair of defeats to former two-time titleholder, Israel Adesanya, Whittaker was stopped in the second round by newly-minted champion, Dricus du Plessis, with the South African turning in a blistering TKO in the pair’s officially-billed title eliminator.

Booking his return to the Octagon later this month on the main card of UFC 298, Whittaker takes on former title chaser, Costa in a return to Anaheim, attempting to work his way back to a potential rematch with the above-mentioned Pretoria native, du Plessis. 

Robert Whittaker promises to “hurt” Paulo Costa at UFC 298

And now with assurances his fight with Costa will take place following a failed targeted clash back in February of last year on home-soil, Whittaker claims he’s hungry for success against the Brazilian – whom he vows to “hurt” en route to a win at UFC 298.

“I’m coming into this fight [at UFC 298] hungrier than ever,” Robert Whittaker assembled media during a press conference in Syndey ahead of UFC 298.. “I’ve been really focusing on bringing that animal back. I’m not just in it – this fight, to win. I’m in it to hurt (Paulo) Costa. And I think that mentality is a powerful thing to have.” 

Who wins between Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa at UFC 298 this month?

Robert Whittaker closing as betting favorite to beat Paulo Costa in UFC 298 grudge fight in March

Robert Whittaker closing as betting favorite to beat Paulo Costa at UFC 298Finally expected to make his long-anticipated return to the Octagon at UFC 298 in March, former undisputed middleweight champion,…

Robert Whittaker closing as betting favorite to beat Paulo Costa at UFC 298

Finally expected to make his long-anticipated return to the Octagon at UFC 298 in March, former undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker is hotly-closing as a short betting favorite to beat former title challenger, Paulo Costa in their grudge fight.

Whittaker, a former undisputed middleweight titleholder, and current number three ranked divisional contender, has been sidelined since he featured on the main card of UFC 290 back in July of last year during International Fight Week, suffering a shocking second round TKO loss to incoming UFC 297 headliner, Dricus du Plessis.

As for Belo Horizonte native, Costa, the former title chaser and current number six ranked challenger, has yet to feature in the Octagon since 2022, most recently beating former undisputed middleweight kingpin, Luke Rockhold in a unanimous decision effort, snapping his two-fight losing skid.

And following a host of fight fallouts – namely against the above-mentioned, Whittaker, Brazilian favorite, Costa is set to fight at UFC 298, however, is closing as a betting underdog. 

Robert Whittaker betting favorite to beat Paulo Costa at UFC 298

And if you’re planning on betting on the -185 betting favorite, Robert Whittaker – you can find a detailed review by the Hudson Journal on betting in Australia, where the former champion has headlined in on multiple ocassions. 

Closing as a betting underdog – drawing odds of +154 ahead of his scheduled return to the Octagon, Costa was initially expected to fight Robert Whittaker at UFC 294 back in February of last year ‘Down Under’, however, failed to pen official bout agreements for a middleweight clash.

And slated to then compete against unbeaten middleweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 back in October of last year in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Costa withdrew from the bout with the Chechen rival due to a nasty bursitis infection in his elbow – which required multiple surgery procedures in order to address.

Without a victory since the premier UFC Fight Night Paris card back in 2022, Robert Whittaker’s most recent win came in the form of a unanimous decision shutout victory over common-foe and former title chaser, Marvin Vettori in a trip to France.

Promoted to the undisputed middleweight titleholder following the official vacating of former two-weight gold holder, Georges St-Pierre, Whittaker turned in a pair of memorable wins over veteran fan-favorite,Yoel Romero during the Cuban powerhouse’s pomp.

Also set for an eye-catching UFC 298 card, undisputed featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski headlines in a title fight against unbeaten Georgian contender, Ilia Topuria in the promotion’s return to Anaheim, California. 

Furthermore, a potential bantamweight title eliminator is on deck as former two-weight champion and Olympic gold medal winner, Henry Cejudo returns in a clash with another Georgian talent, the streaking, Merab Dvalishvili. 

Attempting to earn a bantamweight title fight, the pair are sure to have a keen eye on the main event of UFC 299 in April, as polarizing star, Sean O’Malley takes on Ecuadorian favorite, Marlon Vera in his first attempted defense of the bantamweight crown – as the two share the Octagon for the second time since a 2020 grudge match. 

Who wins in the UFC 298 grudge fight: Robert Whittaker or Paulo Costa?

Robert Whittaker closing as betting favorite to beat Paulo Costa in UFC 298 grudge fight in March

Robert Whittaker closing as betting favorite to beat Paulo Costa at UFC 298Finally expected to make his long-anticipated return to the Octagon at UFC 298 in March, former undisputed middleweight champion,…

Robert Whittaker closing as betting favorite to beat Paulo Costa at UFC 298

Finally expected to make his long-anticipated return to the Octagon at UFC 298 in March, former undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker is hotly-closing as a short betting favorite to beat former title challenger, Paulo Costa in their grudge fight.

Whittaker, a former undisputed middleweight titleholder, and current number three ranked divisional contender, has been sidelined since he featured on the main card of UFC 290 back in July of last year during International Fight Week, suffering a shocking second round TKO loss to incoming UFC 297 headliner, Dricus du Plessis.

As for Belo Horizonte native, Costa, the former title chaser and current number six ranked challenger, has yet to feature in the Octagon since 2022, most recently beating former undisputed middleweight kingpin, Luke Rockhold in a unanimous decision effort, snapping his two-fight losing skid.

And following a host of fight fallouts – namely against the above-mentioned, Whittaker, Brazilian favorite, Costa is set to fight at UFC 298, however, is closing as a betting underdog. 

Robert Whittaker betting favorite to beat Paulo Costa at UFC 298

And if you’re planning on betting on the -185 betting favorite, Robert Whittaker – you can find a detailed review by the Hudson Journal on betting in Australia, where the former champion has headlined in on multiple ocassions. 

Closing as a betting underdog – drawing odds of +154 ahead of his scheduled return to the Octagon, Costa was initially expected to fight Robert Whittaker at UFC 294 back in February of last year ‘Down Under’, however, failed to pen official bout agreements for a middleweight clash.

And slated to then compete against unbeaten middleweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 back in October of last year in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Costa withdrew from the bout with the Chechen rival due to a nasty bursitis infection in his elbow – which required multiple surgery procedures in order to address.

Without a victory since the premier UFC Fight Night Paris card back in 2022, Robert Whittaker’s most recent win came in the form of a unanimous decision shutout victory over common-foe and former title chaser, Marvin Vettori in a trip to France.

Promoted to the undisputed middleweight titleholder following the official vacating of former two-weight gold holder, Georges St-Pierre, Whittaker turned in a pair of memorable wins over veteran fan-favorite,Yoel Romero during the Cuban powerhouse’s pomp.

Also set for an eye-catching UFC 298 card, undisputed featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski headlines in a title fight against unbeaten Georgian contender, Ilia Topuria in the promotion’s return to Anaheim, California. 

Furthermore, a potential bantamweight title eliminator is on deck as former two-weight champion and Olympic gold medal winner, Henry Cejudo returns in a clash with another Georgian talent, the streaking, Merab Dvalishvili. 

Attempting to earn a bantamweight title fight, the pair are sure to have a keen eye on the main event of UFC 299 in April, as polarizing star, Sean O’Malley takes on Ecuadorian favorite, Marlon Vera in his first attempted defense of the bantamweight crown – as the two share the Octagon for the second time since a 2020 grudge match. 

Who wins in the UFC 298 grudge fight: Robert Whittaker or Paulo Costa?

Paulo Costa unsure fight with Robert Whittaker happens at UFC 298: ‘I didn’t sign yet, I don’t know what happened’

Paulo Costa claims he's not signed contract to fight Robert Whittaker at UFC 298 I don't know what happenedDespite being slated to fight former undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker at UFC 298 next month in Anaheim, California,…

Paulo Costa claims he's not signed contract to fight Robert Whittaker at UFC 298 I don't know what happened

Despite being slated to fight former undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker at UFC 298 next month in Anaheim, California, polarizing division contender, Paulo Costa has claimed he has yet to put pen to paper on a bout agreement to fight the ex-titleholder – nor has he received one as of yet from the organization.

Costa, the current number six ranked middleweight contender, has been sidelined for over a year, making his most recent outing in a unanimous decision win over former champion, Luke Rockhold at UFC 278 in August 2022.

And booked to make his comeback in a high-stakes title-eliminator against the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in October last, Costa was forced from the Abu Dhabi, UAE grudge match with the former after he developed a nasty bursitis infection in his elbow ahead of the bout, requiring numerous surgical procedures to address.

Paulo Costa unsure if Robert Whittaker fight happens at UFC 298

Expected to make his return to the Octagon as part of UFC 298 next month in Anaheim at the Toyota Center, Costa has claimed, however, that he has yet to fight former gold holder, Whittaker at the event – and has yet to even receive an official bout agreement from the promotion for the middleweight battle.

“I’ll tell you, I didn’t sign [bout agreement] yet,” Paulo Costa told MMA Fighting. “They [the UFC] didn’t send. They didn’t send the email – I’m waiting on this email. I don’t know what happened. But, they said Anaheim. I’m okay with Anaheim, I like the Californian people, I spent a couple of months there last year…”

“The only problem with Anaheim is the tax – of Calfiornia, high tax,” Paulo Costa explained. “They say Anaheim, so I think the fight is gonna happen.” 

Sidelined since a July knockout loss to incoming title chaser, Dricus du Plessis, former champion, Whittaker was expected to fight Belo Horizonte native, Costa at UFC 284 back in February of last year, however, similarly, the latter insisted he had not officially signed to fight the ex-champion. 

Do you expect Paulo Costa to fight Robert Whittaker at UFC 298?

Robert Whittaker calls bluff on Strickland – du Plessis brawl at UFC 296: ‘I thought it was staged, mate’

Robert Whittaker calls bluff on Strickland - du Plessis brawl at UFC 296 it looked fake mateFormer undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker has claimed he believes last weekend’s violent scuffle between defending divisional champion, Sean…

Robert Whittaker calls bluff on Strickland - du Plessis brawl at UFC 296 it looked fake mate

Former undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker has claimed he believes last weekend’s violent scuffle between defending divisional champion, Sean Strickland and former foe, Dircus du Plessis was “staged” – as the pair prepare for a grudge match at UFC 297 next month.

Whittaker, the current number three ranked middleweight contender, has been sidelined since he featured at UFC 290 back in July of this year during International Fight Week, suffering a surprising second round loss to incoming title challenger, du Plessis – succumbing to second round strikes in a TKO defeat.

As for Strickland and du Plessis, the duo faced off at a heated press conference on Friday in Las Vegas ahead of next month’s title fight in Canada, with the latter boldly reminding Strickland of the admitted child abuse and physical abuse he was the victim of at the hands of his late father. 

Seated just two rows apart at UFC 296 over the weekend on fighter row, Strickland and Pretoria native, du Plessis engaged in a violetn scuffle in the crowd, with the defending middleweight champion removed from the arena as a result. 

Robert Whittaker doubts legitimacy of UFC 296 brawl

Again goading Strickland following the incident, du Plessis mocked the finishing rate of the brash champion, however, the above-mentioned, Robert Whittaker believes the brawl between the two was orchestrated and staged.

“I thought it was staged, mate, honestly,” Robert Whittaker said on the MMArcade Podcast. “Because it was weird, it was weird the way it happened. You saw the way (Sean) Strickladn was like, ‘Move aside, please.’ Makes sense, but then he jumps in WWE style. The way he was punching, the way he kind of like, I don’t know, fake punching to the back of Dricus (du Plessis).”

“Maybe it was just for entertainment, and which case, you can’t really give him anything for it. I don’t know. It’s a bit silly. He’s the champ.” 

Also sharing his thoughts on the skirmish between his two rivals, ex-two-time champion, Adesanya claimed he was all for the brawl, praising Strickland for landing what he described as a “sucker punch”.