Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker reveals the UFC added ‘stipulations’ for his UFC 298 co-main due to Costa’s ‘track record’.
The Australian has been in his usual jovial form this week but there are signs that the former world champion is expecting a headline-grabbing finish vs Costa, teasing that he’s “coming for blood” after the pre-fight press conference on Thursday.
Speaking with Marc Raimondi, ‘The Reaper’ admitted that the UFC added “stipulations” to his contact vs Costa, given the Brazilian’s “track record” in pulling out of scheduled fights at the last moment.
Whittaker on Costa’s track record pulling out of fights
Whilst Whittaker is a sizable favorite over the powerhouse Brazilian this weekend at UFC 298, the former king of the middleweight division will be flirting with danger as soon as the cage door closes.
“He’s a good fighter, he knows how to fight, and he’s obviously a pretty good athlete as well,” Whittaker told Raimondi.
Yet getting to fight night will be a contest in itself, with Costa garnering a reputation for pulling out of scheduled fights: Since losing to Adesanya in 2020, Costa has had five fights canceled, including one already against his UFC 298 dance partner.
“I think he’s quite unprofessional” and “the UFC understands my concerns” about a potential last-minute call-off, Whittaker said.
“The UFC understands my concerns and they’re accommodating me, you know with Paulo Costa’s track record, you have to, there are extra stipulations…They just guaranteed me that I was going to fight someone so it’s all good.”
When asked whether these ‘stipulations’ included a potential back-up fighter for the UFC 298 co-main event, ‘The Reaper’ shared that he has “no idea” if the promotion has another opponent lurking in the shadows.
“I have no idea, but I’ve never really given it much thought. I’m here to fight and I’ve seen him now, we’re all good.”
So, should both make it to the octagon on Saturday evening as expected, how does the former champ see the fight against Costa going down?
“There’s nothing personal. We’re in the fight game. I’m trying to hurt him as a means to victory and respectfully, I’m sure he’s trying to do the same. I don’t want to just win; I want to finish him.”
Whittaker’s last stoppage win came in April 2017 against Ronaldo Souza, Costa’s last victory inside the distance was in July 2018 vs Uriah Hall.