Middleweights meet in the co-main event of UFC 298.
Former UFC Champion Robert Whittaker is scheduled to fight one-time title challenger Paulo Costa this Saturday on pay-per-view. Israel Adesanya, a former foe of both, is keeping a close eye on this top contender matchup… if it happens.
Will Costa Show Up This Time Out? Adesanya Thinks So.
Costa has withdrawn from bouts with Whittaker in the past and some fans believe ‘The Eraser’ will remove himself from the equation yet again in Anaheim.
“I think this one he has to [make it],” Adesanya said of Costa on his YouTube channel. “If he doesn’t, I think he’s gonna have some issues with the UFC brass and that’s just knowing them.”
Adesanya Breaks Down Whittaker vs. Costa – Stylistically
Should the fight finally take place (like it’s supposed to), who better to break it down than Adesanya who has went multiple rounds with each fighter.
Adesanya fought Costa at UFC 257, stopping him in the second round of their title fight. ‘The Last Stylebender’ went 2-0 against Whittaker, finishing him at UFC 243 and then winning yet again at UFC 271, that time by unanimous decision. It’s safe to say Adesanya knows their skills well enough.
“Stylistically, I will say I think Rob’s gonna wrestle him,” Adesanya predicts. “Rob can definitely land the takedown. Maybe not early on. Early on, I think it’d be f***ing hard. Rob will be at the distance. Faint pump faking doing this f***ing oblique kick.
“Costa will, I don’t think he’ll try and bait Rob or anything like that. I think he’ll go to Rob. I think he might not respect Rob unless Rob gets some respect straight away with the jab or his leg kicks or right hand or something. Costa will try and walk him down. If Rob’s smart, don’t get to the fence because that’s when he will bully you. Use good footwork.”
Costa ‘Doesn’t Really Mix It Up’
Adesanya continued in his analysis, citing Costa doesn’t have too many tricks up his sleeve.
“If Rob ends up behind the black line, that’s when Costa’s gonna put that pressure and just try and [put the] body work in. Cause he does his best work when people are on the fence. Footwork from Rob to stay away from the fence. Costa to win, he just has to maybe [mix it up], he doesn’t really mix it up. He barely kicks like low kicks or anything. He likes to box, boxing heavy. I think it means well for Rob because that’s very limited.”
Final Prediction
With all of that said, Adesanya has it on good knowledge that Whittaker will end up getting his hand raised against Costa.
“I feel Rob will win by decision, UD (unanimous decision). He’s gonna land a couple takedowns. Depends who shows up. He might rock Costa up, but I don’t think so,” Adesanya added.
“Look, Costa’s only good because he fights punching bags.”
Is Israel Adesanya right on the money with this prediction?
