ANAHEIM, Calif. – Robert Whittaker is back on the winning path and hopes to maintain a consistent record. In the co-main event of UFC 298 at Honda Center on Saturday, Whittaker (25-7 MMA, 16-5) emerged victorious against Paulo Costa (14-3 MMA, 6-3) in an exhilarating striking showdown, securing a unanimous decision.
“I’m extremely pleased with my performance,” Whittaker expressed. The 33-year-old rebounded from a TKO loss to Dricus Du Plessis in July. With the momentum building, Whittaker sets his sights on a mid-2024 comeback, planning for a third fight in the latter half of the year.
The question remains, who will be his next opponent? Could it be Sean Strickland or Khamzat Chimaev? Whittaker remains open to various options. The middleweight division offers a dynamic landscape filled with opportunities, making any matchup possible at any given time. Whittaker acknowledges the UFC’s consistent support in his career, as they have always presented him with suitable opponents. He has no intention of altering his approach to matchmaking.
Immediately after his triumph at UFC 298, fans and media outlets proposed a clash between Whittaker and Strickland (28-6 MMA, 15-6 UFC), who lost the middleweight title in January and currently has no scheduled fights. If this matchup materializes, Whittaker intends to focus solely on Strickland’s skills inside the cage, disregarding any verbal taunts.
“He’s not that terrible,” Whittaker commented. “He seems to hold a general anger towards everyone. Unless you personally provoke him, he doesn’t single out individuals. I believe it would be challenging for him to find fault with something I’ve done, but he might try.”
According to the Source mmajunkie.usatoday.com