Robert Whittaker News
Robert Whittaker and team request title rematch with Israel Adesanya after Paulo Costa fight falls apart
Adam D Martin - March 16, 2021
Team Robert Whittaker has requested a title rematch with UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya after the Paulo Costa fight fell apart. Whittaker was set to fight Costa in the main event of a UFC Fight Night card on April 17, with the winner of that fight likely set to fight Adesanya for the belt. However, Costa was forced to pull out of the fight due to illness, which leaves Whittaker without an opponent. But if the Aussie’s team has their way, then they’ll be next for Adesanya either way.
Paulo Costa forced out of UFC fight with Robert Whittaker
Christopher Taylor - March 15, 2021
Paulo Costa will no longer be fighting former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker on April 17 as previously planned. After initial report from Ag.Fight suggested that the Costa vs. Whittaker bout was in jeopardy, MMAFighting has since confirmed that ‘The Eraser’ will no longer be competing at UFC Fight Night 188.
Robert Whittaker in phenomenal shape ahead of Paulo Costa fight
Tom Taylor - February 17, 2021
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker is in phenomenal shape ahead of his upcoming showdown with Paulo Costa. Whittaker lost the UFC middleweight title to Israel Adesanya in 2019, but has since rebounded with a pair of impressive decision victories over top contenders in Darren Till and Jared Cannonier. He’ll look to make it three in a row—and make his claim to another title shot truly undeniable—when he takes on the recent title challenger Costa on April 17.
Paulo Costa turns down opportunity to headline UFC on ABC 2 card vs. Robert Whittaker
Harry Kettle - February 15, 2021
UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa has turned down the chance to main event the UFC’s next big ABC card on April 10, Fight News Australia reports. The fight night main event has been slated to take place on April 17 for a few weeks now, but the Ultimate Fighting Championship wanted to push it forward seven days and have it headline the promotion’s return to ABC.
Report | Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa headlines UFC Fight Night card in April
Adam Martin - January 25, 2021
A middleweight bout between contenders Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa is reportedly being targeted for a UFC Fight Night card on April 17. Sherdog.com first reported that Whittaker vs. Costa is being targeted for the April 17 date, though a location has not been confirmed yet. The report suggests Las Vegas as a possible destination for the event. But with coronavirus-related travel restrictions, especially for international fighters, UFC president Dana White recently admitted that he isn’t sure where fights are going to be held in the coming months.
Robert Whittaker jumps past Conor McGregor in latest 'UFC Fight Island' rankings update
Christopher Taylor - January 19, 2021
Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has leaped past Conor McGregor in the latest UFC Fight Island rankings update. The UFC updated their official rankings ahead of this week’s highly anticipated pay-per-view event, which is headlined by a rematch between Dustin Poirier and the aforementioned Irishman.
Team Paulo Costa "terrorizing" Dana White for Robert Whittaker matchup
Adam Martin - January 13, 2021
UFC president Dana White said that Team Paulo Costa has been “terrorizing” him to book a matchup against Robert Whittaker. Whittaker and Costa are the No. 1 and No. 2 contenders, respectively, in the UFC middleweight division, behind only champion Israel Adesanya. With the champ moving up to 205lbs for his next fight, it’s put the 185lbs division in a bit of a tricky situation moving forward. There’s no guarantee Adesanya will even return to the weight class should he defeat Jan Blachowicz for the light heavyweight belt at UFC 259, so the rest of the top contenders are essentially stuck in limbo at the moment.
Dana White on Robert Whittaker: "I don’t think he’s going to get a title shot next"
Adam Martin - January 10, 2021
UFC president Dana White hinted that Robert Whittaker will have to fight again, saying “I don’t think he’s going to get a title shot next.” After beating Jared Cannonier at UFC 254, most figured that the UFC matchmakers would look to book a rematch between Whittaker and UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, the man who took his title back at UFC 243. Instead, Adesanya is moving up to fight UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz in March. That leaves Whittaker in a tough position because he’s done enough to earn a rematch against Adesanya, but at the same time, the champ may not return to 185lbs.
Derek Brunson calls for a rematch with Robert Whittaker: "That first fight was disrespectful"
Cole Shelton - November 18, 2020
Derek Brunson is hoping to get a rematch with Robert Whittaker. Ever since Brunson pulled off an upset win over Edmen Shahbazyan he has been looking to fight a top contender. He has called out Paulo Costa but that appears unlikely to happen so the top-10 contender is looking to rematch Whittaker.
Robert Whittaker explains "problem" with Khabib vs. GSP fight
Tom Taylor - November 12, 2020
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker sees a “problem” with a potential superfight between Georges St-Pierre and Khabib Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov, the reigning UFC lightweight champ, and St-Pierre, the former welterweight and middleweight champ, are universally regarded as two of the best fighters of all time, and have been linked to a fight for many years. Even with both men retired, there’s still widespread interest in their potential pairing.
Robert Whittaker explains when he's likely to "bow out" of MMA competition
Tom Taylor - November 11, 2020
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker isn’t sure when he’ll retire from mixed martial arts, but he certainly seems to have a rough sense. During a recent appearance on MMA Fighting‘s What The Heck show, Whittaker weighed in on the career of Anderson Silva, who competed in his final UFC bout late last month at the age of 45.
Robert Whittaker makes prediction for Adesanya vs. Blachowicz fight
Tom Taylor - November 10, 2020
Former UFC middleweight champ Robert Whittaker has made a prediction for the upcoming fight between Israel Adesanya and Jan Blachowicz. Adesanya, the reigning UFC middleweight champion, and Blachowicz, the promotion’s new light heavyweight champ, are expected to fight for the latter’s title sometime in the new year.
Paulo Costa confirms fight with Robert Whittaker "very close" to being booked
Adam Martin - November 4, 2020
UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa confirmed that a fight against former champion Robert Whittaker is “very close” to being booked. Costa recently called out Whittaker for what he said would be an “amazing fight” for the fans. Whittaker in turn said that he wasn’t interested in Costa at the moment, but it looks like the UFC has different plans. Speaking on his YouTube channel in a recent live chat with his fans, Costa confirmed that he’s deep into discussions with the UFC about the Whittaker fight, adding that a few details need to still be ironed out.
Robert Whittaker reacts to callout from Paulo Costa: “He just lost his contention to the title”
Harry Kettle - November 4, 2020
UFC middleweight Robert Whittaker has issued his response after a recent callout by divisional rival Paulo Costa. Whittaker seems to be the next man in line for a shot at Israel Adesanya’s Middleweight Championship after his two decision wins over fellow contenders Darren Till and Jared Cannonier. Costa, on the other hand, was decisively beaten by Adesanya in a one-sided title fight back at UFC 253.
Israel Adesanya understands why Robert Whittaker didn't force rematch: "I’ll probably see him again in New Zealand"
Cole Shelton - November 3, 2020
Israel Adesanya knows he and Robert Whittaker will fight again in the near future. After Whittaker defeated Jared Cannonier at UFC 254 to become the No. 1 contender, many figured the rematch with Adesanya would be next. However, Whittaker made it clear he would not fight until March as he wanted to spend the holidays with his family.
Robert Whittaker refutes Dana White’s claim, says he’s willing to fight Israel Adesanya at light heavyweight
Harry Kettle - November 3, 2020
UFC middleweight Robert Whittaker has questioned Dana White’s claim that he doesn’t want to fight Israel Adesanya. Whittaker, the former champion lost his title to “The Last Stylebender” last October, but since then, he’s been able to bounce back in style with decision wins over fellow contenders Darren Till and Jared Cannonier. It seemed as if he was destined to square off with Adesanya once again in a rematch, but White recently claimed that “The Reaper” turned the bout down.
Robert Whittaker calls rematch with Israel Adesanya "a hard fight"
Adam Martin - October 26, 2020
Top contender Robert Whittaker called a potential rematch against UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya “a hard fight.” After defeating Jared Cannonier in the co-main event of UFC 254, UFC president Dana White said that Whittaker would likely be the next opponent for Adesanya. Of course, these two previously met at UFC 243 in October 2019. Whittaker was the champion heading into that fight but he lost his belt to Adesanya by knockout. Since then, Whittaker has won two straight fights against Cannonier and Darren Till to jump back into title contention, while Adesanya defended his belt against Yoel Romero and Paulo Costa.
Jared Cannonier issues statement following loss to Robert Whittaker: "The very first kick he threw broke or fractured my left ulna"
Chris Taylor - October 25, 2020
A key middleweight bout between former division champion Robert Whittaker and surging contender Jared Cannonier co-headlined yesterday’s UFC 254 event. The bout had massive stakes for ‘The Killa Gorilla’, as UFC President Dana White had already confirmed that if Cannonier could defeat Whittaker he would then earn the next title shot against Israel Adesanya.