UFC 298: Paulo Costa Provides Interesting Update On Robert Whittaker Fight

Costa gives a status update on the Whittaker fight.

Paulo Costa has provided an update on his planned fight against Robert Whittaker, and it has left fans puzzled.

UFC CEO Dana White announced that Costa will be taking on the former UFC middleweight champion Whittaker at UFC 298. The event is scheduled to take place inside the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. It'll be headlined by a UFC featherweight title fight between champion Alexander Volkanovski and Ilia Topuria.

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While many fans thought the fight was signed and sealed since Dana White announced it, Paulo Costa claims it isn't exactly official yet. Here's what he told Ariel Helwani on "The MMA Hour:"

Paulo Costa is asked if his fight with Robert Whittaker is happening in Anaheim.#TheMMAHour pic.twitter.com/6BhPjg5f4z

— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) January 10, 2024

"I will tell you I didn't sign yet," Costa said. "They didn't send this mail. I'm waiting for the mail. I don't know what happened, but they say Anaheim. I'm okay with Anaheim, I like the California people. I spent a couple months there last year."

Some fans believe that "Borrachinha" may be trolling, but it certainly has put some doubt in the minds of fight fans. Costa has had his share of bouts that have fallen through. He was removed from a planned UFC 294 showdown with Khamzat Chimaev due to a nasty elbow infection. While some fans bashed Costa for pulling out of the fight given his history, Dana defended him publicly.

Costa did, however, try to assure fans that plans will go ahead for UFC 298.

"I think that the fight is gonna happen," Costa said.

"Borrachinha" hasn't competed since August 2022. His last outing was a unanimous decision victory over Luke Rockhold.

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