Paulo Costa, a former middleweight title challenger, has announced that he has a “done deal” to face former titleholder Robert Whittaker in his return to the Octagon at UFC 299 in March.
Costa, currently ranked No. 6 in the middleweight division, recently secured a close unanimous decision victory over Luke Rockhold, ending a two-fight losing streak for the Santa Cruz veteran.
Whittaker, on the other hand, has been inactive since his second-round TKO loss to Drikus du Plessis in July. His planned bout in Australia in February was canceled, prompting him to publicly challenge Costa to a fight at UFC 299 in March.
Paulo Costa confirms the fight with Robert Whittaker
Responding to Whittaker’s call-out, Costa stated that the fight is already a “done deal” for next year.
“Tamara showed me this,” Paulo Costa posted on his blog. X official account. ‘Why are you tagging me, Robert (Whitaker), do you really want this match?’ If it’s positive that the deal is done, that’s great. February is enough time for me, what do you think? ”
Prior to his upcoming fight with Whittaker, Costa was set to face Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294, but had to withdraw due to severe bursitis in his elbow. The bout was touted as a title eliminator in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Who would emerge victorious in a potential matchup between Paulo Costa and Robert Whittaker?
