Robert Whittaker has adopted another kind of mentality for UFC 298.
Stylistic Matchup, ‘Bad Intentions’
The former UFC Middleweight Champion returns against powerhouse Paulo Costa on Feb. 17. Ahead of fighting in Anaheim, Whittaker isn’t underestimating how dangerous his opponent can be in the Octagon. That’s probably a good idea, considering the fact that Costa has 11 KO’s to his name.
But, you can’t give too much respect to ‘The Eraser’, as Whittaker would explain. He’s going to meet Costa right in the middle and deal his own damage.
“Paulo’s strong man, he’s a big powerful puncher,” Whittaker told Middle Easy. “He’s a big, strong guy. He’s aggressive, very dangerous. He got strong kicks. He’s got strong punches. He’s one of those guys that if you give him space, if you give you, if you let him fight his fight, he’ll bully you. He’ll take advantage of that passiveness and go after you.
“I do not intend to let him have that. I am going in there with bad intentions. I’m looking to go into this fight to really hurt him. That’s just the mentality I’ve adopted for this fight because I wanna get back into that winning circle. I wanna utilize the skillsets and the training that I’ve been putting in for this camp, and the best way to do that is through him.”
Costa’s ‘Will To Win’ Won’t Be Questioned
Whittaker intends to stand his ground and fight fire with fire later this month.
When asked what to look out for between Costa’s skill and will, Whittaker believes the former title challenger brings both to the table in their upcoming fight.
“I think a bit of both,” Whittaker continued. “I don’t believe anybody in the UFC, especially at the level that we’re at, in the top ten, top five, nobody reaches that point without having a head space to fight or having the will or ability to fight. Nobody can reach those heights, those levels.
“He’s the type of fighter that he likes to bully his opponents. He wants to get in there, he wants to be the bigger, the aggressive guy. He wants opponents that are hesitant to go in because they’re so because they’re intimidated by him. He wants guys that are intimidated by him.”
‘I’m Not Intimidated By Him’
‘The Reaper’ says fear won’t be a factor at UFC 298.
“That’s where I’ll beat him because I’m not intimidated by him,” Whittaker said. “I’m not scared of anything he’s got. I’m better across the board at everything that he is. My headspace going into it is the best it’s been. I’m going in there with bad intentions. I’m going in there to try and close this fight early. This is this is what I want, and this is what I’m gonna make happen.”
‘A Win And The World’s My Oyster’
There’s nothing Whittaker wants more than to get back to winning ways. In his last outing, the former champ lost his #1 contender status to newly crowned middleweight king Dricus Du Plessis in July.
With all the chaos currently happening at middleweight and his ranking only going down to #3, Whittaker thinks in a win over Costa will do absolute wonders for him. Since the UFC fighter doesn’t get paid by the hour, the quicker… the better.
“I think winning opens every door. A win and the world’s my oyster,” Whittaker added. “It’s about getting in there and I guess just fulfilling my potential, like utilizing all the training in the months and the years that I’ve been working towards a singular goal into effect. I wanna get in there and I wanna do what I can do.
“That was what was so disappointing about the last fight. It’s just, I didn’t live up to my potential. I didn’t do what I had trained for. That to me is much worse than losing a fight. But, I’m going there with the headspace. I wanna close this shop early when I get in there. I wanna fly to the US, Smash Paulo Costa and go home. That’s the plan. That’s the travel itinerary right now.”
