Australian fighter Robert Whittaker is determined to make a strong comeback in his upcoming UFC 298 bout. The former middleweight champion (24-7 MMA, 15-5 UFC) will face Paulo Costa (14-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) in the co-main event on February 17th at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Whittaker’s last defeat was against the current champion, Dricus Du Plessis, who won by TKO at UFC 290. However, Whittaker is not only focused on defeating Costa but also inflicting significant damage on him.
Speaking to Middle Easy, Whittaker acknowledged Costa’s strength and power as a puncher. He described him as a big, strong, and aggressive fighter with dangerous kicks and punches. Whittaker emphasized that if given space, Costa would bully his opponents and take advantage of their passiveness. However, Whittaker has no intention of allowing that to happen. He plans to enter the fight with a fierce mindset, aiming to hurt Costa and secure a victory. Whittaker is determined to showcase his skills and training from this camp, and he sees this fight as the perfect opportunity to do so.
Whittaker firmly believes that he holds the advantage in all aspects of the fight. While Costa typically relies on his pressure-style fighting, Whittaker remains unfazed and confident. He stated that he is not intimidated by Costa and is not afraid of anything he brings to the table. Whittaker believes he is superior in every aspect of the game and is entering the fight with a strong mental state. His goal is to finish the fight early and make a statement. Whittaker is determined to achieve his desired outcome and will stop at nothing to make it happen.