Whittaker Dominates Costa in Unanimous Decision Victory In a highly anticipated middleweight clash, Robert Whittaker outclassed Paulo Costa in a unanimous decision victory at UFC 278. Whittaker, the former champion, started strong by landing a series of crisp punches and kicks that kept Costa at bay. As the fight progressed, he continued to dictate the pace, using his superior footwork and technical prowess to evade Costa’s charges. Costa, known for his knockout power, posed a threat with his heavy hands. However, Whittaker’s evasive style and excellent head movement prevented Costa from landing any significant strikes. In the third round, Whittaker dropped Costa with a leg kick followed by a powerful combination that almost finished the fight. Costa managed to recover, but his mobility was visibly affected. Despite Costa’s late surge in the fourth and fifth rounds, Whittaker remained in control of the fight. He landed a steady stream of punches and kicks that kept Costa off-balance and unable to mount any meaningful offense. In the end, the judges awarded Whittaker a unanimous decision victory with scores of 50-45, 50-45, and 49-46. Whittaker’s performance marked a significant step in his return to the middleweight title picture. He has now won three fights in a row since losing his title to Israel Adesanya in 2019.Robert Whittaker, the former middleweight champion, is set to face Ikram Aliskerov in the main event of UFC Fight Night on Saturday, June 22.
Robert Whittaker, the former middleweight champion, is set to face Ikram Aliskerov in the main event of UFC Fight Night on Saturday, June 22. Ahead of the event, the UFC released a free video featuring Whittaker’s previous appearance in February. Competing in the co-main event at UFC 298 in Anaheim, California, Whittaker defeated Paulo Costa by unanimous decision. In his next fight, Whittaker will meet Aliskerov in the five-round UFC Saudi Arabia main event. Aliskerov entered the fray at short notice, replacing Khamzat Chimaev, who had to withdraw due to illness.
In a highly anticipated middleweight clash, Robert Whittaker emerged victorious over Paulo Costa by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) at UFC Fight Night 217. Whittaker showcased his superior striking throughout the bout, controlling the distance with his jab and landing clean combinations. Costa, known for his relentless pressure, struggled to find his rhythm and often found himself countered by Whittaker’s precise strikes. In the early rounds, Whittaker dominated the stand-up exchanges, peppering Costa with leg kicks and sharp jabs. Costa attempted to close the distance and land heavy blows, but Whittaker’s footwork and head movement proved elusive. As the fight progressed, Costa grew more desperate and began to overcommit his strikes. Whittaker capitalized on Costa’s aggression, landing clean counterpunches and securing takedowns when necessary. In the championship rounds, Whittaker maintained his composure and continued to outstrike Costa. Costa’s power punches became less effective as Whittaker weathered the storm and absorbed the impact. With the final bell sounding, Whittaker had outclassed Costa in every aspect of the fight. The judges’ scorecards reflected his dominance, awarding him the unanimous decision victory. Whittaker’s triumph marks his third consecutive win since losing the middleweight title to Israel Adesanya in 2019. Costa, on the other hand, suffered his second consecutive defeat.
