Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker and No. 6 ranked Paulo Costa are scheduled to fight at UFC 284 on February 12 in Perth, Australia. The only problem is, Costa says that he hasn’t signed to take the fight.
Costa has repeatedly said that he doesn’t have a deal to face Whittaker at UFC 284. The bout would be the final fight on Costa’s current UFC contract. The Brazilian recently stated that he turned down a multi-fight offer from the fight promotion.
Whittaker isn’t buying what Costa is selling, and believes that “Borrachinha” will be standing across the cage from him at RAC Arena on Feb. 12.
“This is my side, right? I signed a contract and I’m training my butt off, and I’m starving myself to get down to the weight limit. Someone is getting beaten up in February. Okay,” Whittaker told Submission Radio.
“Like, what he’s doing, he’s a notorious troll for that sort of stuff. So, I’m not paying too much attention. And I don’t think anybody else should pay too much attention to the dude that walks around with a bottle that says ‘secret juice’ on it,” continued Whittaker.
Whittaker was questioned about the possibility of facing someone other than Costa at UFC 284, and “The Reaper” said that the fight promotion isn’t going to have to find another opponent. He’s confident that there won’t be any opponent change.
“Mate, they’re not gonna find anyone, Costa’s gonna take the fight. You guys are thinking into it. This is exactly what he wants. He just wants you talking about it,” Whittaker said.
“A hundred percent he’ll be there. If he misses this one, this is the second time we were supposed to fight. And he’s gonna bounce on it? And due to the fact that he’s not happy with his contract? Who is happy with their contract?! Like, just take the fight. Let’s get it on so I can have a holiday.”
Whittaker and Costa were booked to meet in the main event of UFC Vegas 24 in April 2021, but Costa was forced out of the match due to a severe case of the flu.
Heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou appears close to a UFC deal
Robert Whittaker has no doubt that he’ll be facing Paulo Costa at UFC 284
