- Robert Whittaker boasted about torching the best version of Paulo Costa
- “The Reaper” is wondering why two judges though “Borrachinha” won the opening round
- The former middleweight champ is hoping his next fight will be in Australia
Robert Whittaker takes pride in beating the best version of Paulo Costa at UFC 298.
Robert was hoping for the worst but he beats the best
Speaking on MMArcade podcast, “The Reaper” admitted that he felt “Borrachinha” was at his best shape and condition during their fight. It wasn’t what he was hoping but Whittaker is proud to still have beaten the best version of Costa in their three-round battle.
“I was mentioning it in the fight week leading into that like I’ve prepared for the best version of Costa and you know I obviously I say this and I prepare for it but man I’m hoping I get the worst version of Costa, I’m hoping I get a lethargic, lazy, tired sick version of Costa that comes in but dude rocks up his best self,” Whittaker said.
“That was a in my opinion and it’s upsetting because like that was the best version of Costa, his kicks like, his speed surprised me, he was much faster than I thought he would be than I think he’s actually shown in other fights and yeah that was his best version and I still beat him but everyone’s talking about how good he looked like… Don’t do me like that bro like you were your best version I still beat you right but props to him like I think that version of Costa, he beats a lot of guys,” he continued.
The judging was baffling
It can be recalled that Costa rocked Whittaker with a sensational spinning wheel kick in the opening round. For “The Reaper,” the kick had a lot of impact on the round but after watching the tape, it was evident that he recovered and still dominated the Brazilian for the better part.
BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER 😮💨@RobWhittakerMMA takes home the UD in our #UFC298 co-main event! pic.twitter.com/S41tTqNWQv
— UFC (@ufc) February 18, 2024
With that in mind, Whittaker was baffled by how two judges gave it a 29-28 and only one gave it a 30-27.
“I don’t understand judging at all like watching back, I was piecing him up that round. Obviously that kick was significant but I recovered and it was like… I recovered. I don’t know how that gives him the entire round,” Whittaker reflected.
Whittaker wants to fight when UFC returns to Australia
Whittaker is evidently yearning to get his title back. He knows a fight with Sean Strickland could lead him to a rematch with Dricus du Plessis and eventually become champion again. However, “The Reaper” pointed out that he is more focused on what date he wants to return. As much as possible, Whittaker wants to be booked when the UFC returns to Australia probably five to six months from now.
“I’m angling towards the gold,” Whittaker said. “I want to reclaim my belt and I would love to run it back with Dricus, especially cuz he’s got the gold but I do understand that Strickland is in line like in the sights a little bit, everyone’s talking about him a lot, he’s at the top and that kind of gives me the path to the gold that I’m longing for.
“I’m not really fussed on the opponent at the moment or on the names,” he continued. “I do want someone that put pushes me towards the gold but less than the opponent itself is the date that I’m after and I want to fight in August because I heard the UFC potentially is coming back to Australia in August. So I’ve heard maybe potential [location is] Perth so like August is about five, six months from now, perfect timing for me.”
The decision victory over Costa saw Whittaker quickly getting back to the win column. He certainly needed that win to strengthen his case for title contention once again. On the other hand, Costa is eyeing a showdown with Kamaru Usman as he believes a win over the former welterweight champ would catapult him back to the title mix.
Watch Whittaker’s full video below:
