Fans slam decision as Rob Whittaker roars back into UFC title contention
A reborn Aussie veteran knows exactly what he wants to do next, but fans slammed a decision in his impressive performance.
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Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome back Rob Whittaker to the UFC middleweight division.
The former undisputed middleweight champion, Whittaker had lost two of his past three fights heading into UFC 298 to leave major question marks over his Hall of Fame-calibre career.
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At 33 years of age, there were plenty of fight fans wondering if his best was behind him.
On Sunday, he silenced the critics in some style, beating Brazilian Paulo Costa in a brutal, tense co-main event in Anaheim, California.
The Aussie didn’t just win, he also showed he still has plenty of stamina and courage left, surviving Costa’s perfectly executed spinning kick to his jaw at the end of round one that left him wobbling on his feet.
In the end, the judges scored the fight 29-28, 29-28 and 30-27 in the Aussie’s favour as he improved his record to 25-7.
“This is the exact fight I prepared for, this is the fight I wanted,” Whittaker said afterwards.
“I told you all I would take the fight to him. He’s a tough dude.”
He was asked about that kick, when many thought the Aussie’s night might have been over.
“It was nothing but a flesh wound,” he said laughing.
“No, it wasn’t fun, it was his best shot of night, for sure.
Having lost consecutive title fights to Israel Adesanya in 2019 and again in 2022, Whittaker bounced back with a unanimous decision win over Marvin Vettori.
That led to a title eliminator against Dricus du Plessis in July last year, but the South African was too strong, earning a TKO triumph before going on to defeat Sean Strickland and claim the middleweight belt at UFC 297 last month.
Whittaker gave the impression after Sunday’s win he knew his career was on the line, but he knows exactly what he wants now he has this victory to his name.
“I put a lot of pressure on myself to come here and perform, especially after my last fight, and I did exactly that,” he said.
“I’m looking to make amends with Dricus and I’m not going anywhere baby.
“I’m back.”
There was a cagey start to the co-main event, excuse the pun, but a busy Whittaker landed the bigger strikes in the opening round.
A series of well-timed punches and leg kicks from Whittaker had Costa smiling, but the commentators believing the Australian was in control.
watching a Robert Whittaker masterclass #UFC298pic.twitter.com/KoSk4UuBAw
— á´á´á´€ á´á´€Ê€á´„á´œs ðŸï¸ (@mmamarcuss) February 18, 2024
How was it not Whittaker and Costa's fight https://t.co/ZoH7eO4EEn
— Velox (@xVelox) February 18, 2024
Then in the dying seconds of the round, the Brazilian landed that spinning kick across Whittaker’s jaw and the Aussie was just saved by the bell.
Both fighters had their moments over the next two rounds, with each left bloodied and landing a number of strikes, but the Australian led the significant strike battle comfortably at the end of it all, 95-67.
The fight of the night bonus ended up going to Amanda Lemos and Mackenzie Dern in a preliminary strawweight clash, but many felt Whittaker’s clash with Costa was the clear standout.
“Should’ve been Robert Whittaker and Costa,” was one reply on X, formerly Twitter.
“They had a great fight but the Whittaker costa fight was better,” wrote another.
“Crazy that Whittaker/Costa didn’t get a bonus,” was another comment.
“In what world was this fight of the night over Costa Whittaker,” questioned a fourth.
Regardless, while Alex Volkanovski’s career is at the crossroads after his loss to Ilia Topuria, his fellow Australian Whittaker showed his UFC career is far from finished.
Originally published as Fans slam decision as Rob Whittaker roars back into UFC title contention
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