Robert Whittaker says Israel Adesanya has the skill set to beat Paulo Costa at UFC 253

ABU DHABI – Robert Whittaker thinks Israel Adesanya has the tools to defeat Paulo Costa and retain his UFC middleweight title.

Former UFC middleweight champ Whittaker (20-5 MMA, 11-3 UFC), is ideally placed to give his assessment on Adesanya, having recently lost his title to “The Last Stylebender” this past October at UFC 243.

Adesanya (19-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) is set to face Costa (13-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) in the main event of UFC 253 on Sept. 19, and while Whittaker acknowledges Costa’s strength, he thinks Adesanya has what it takes to get the job done.

“I think Adesanya has the skill set necessary to beat Costa,” Whittaker told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at Tuesday’s UFC on ESPN 14 media day. “He’s very technical, he’s very good. He’s a good fighter. I don’t like him very much, but he’s a good fighter. But Costa’s dangerous. He’s so explosive, he’s got mad cardio and hits like a truck. Look at the size of him. I’m sure that does something. I’m sure that has something to do with why he keeps hurting people.”

Despite just losing his title and taking some time off to recharge, Whittaker finds himself potentially one fight away from another crack at the title. He faces Darren Till (18-2-1 MMA, 6-2-1 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 14 main event at Flash Forum at Yas Island.

But Whittaker admits he’s not focused on title implications and is just happy to be back.

“I’m not worrying about it at all, because a huge thing for me is that I’m enjoying the game,” Whittaker said. “I’m enjoying the sport. I’m enjoying the gym because people view me as a top contender – because I am a top contender. I’m one of the best in the world, and I’m still only 29. I think a lot of people forget that, as well. I have enough time to walk away from the game and just train skill sets and come back at a later time.

“Honestly, the world is my oyster where I’m sitting, and I guess my biggest thing is I want to enjoy it and earn a living, and that’s it. As a team, as a family, we’re doing it together, so (I’ve) got to be happy with that.”