Pros react after Robert Whittaker defeats Paulo Costa at UFC 298

Tonight’s UFC 298 event was co-headlined by a highly anticipated middleweight bout between Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa.

Whittaker (25-7 MMA) had entered the contest looking to rebound, this after suffering a TKO loss to Dricus Du Plessis in his most previous effort at UFC 290 this past July. Prior to that setback, the former middleweight champion was coming off a unanimous decision victory over Marvin Vettori in September of 2022.

Meanwhile, Paulo Costa (14-3 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since scoring a unanimous decision win over Luke Rockhold at UFC 278 back in August of 2022. ‘Borrachinha’ was originally supposed to fight Khamzat Chimaev at last fall’s UFC 294 event in Abu Dhabu but was ultimately forced out of that bout due to injury.

Tonight’s UFC 298 co-main event resulted in a thrilling back and forth affair. Robert Whittaker got off to a strong start in round one but ended up getting rocked by a spinning heel kick from Paulo Costa in the final seconds of the frame. Round two was another strong five minutes for the former middleweight champion, who utilized some hard low kicks and good left hands to get the better of the Brazilian. The third and final round was competitive, but ‘The Reaper’ seemed to pull away in the final minutes. After fifteen minutes of action, Whittaker was awarded the decision win.

Official UFC 298 Results: Robert Whittaker def. Paulo Costa by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Check out how the pros reacted to ‘Whittaker vs. Costa’ below:

Let’s go @robwhittakermma . Always representing on the ring walk!!! #UFC298 @ufc #cantbetouched

— Roy Jones Jr. (@RealRoyJonesJr) February 18, 2024

The co-main is a banger 👀 #UFC298

— Aleksandar Rakic (@rakic_ufc) February 18, 2024

They’re brutalizing each other’s calves! #UFC298

— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) February 18, 2024

I genuinely don’t know who is gonna win this fight between Whittaker and Costa

— Kevin Lee MTP (@MoTownPhenom) February 18, 2024

These middleweights fast like lightweights #ufc298

— Movsar Evloev (@MovsarUFC) February 18, 2024

Calf kicks have been a freebie for Rob, stay on it!! #UFC298

— Eric Nicksick (@Eric_XCMMA) February 18, 2024

Oh these boys came to rumble 👊🏿 #UFC298

— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) February 18, 2024

Whittaker has won 9:45 seconds of this fight, but it’s 1-1 going to rd 3. 😂💯 #UFC298

— Eric Nicksick (@Eric_XCMMA) February 18, 2024

2-0 🤔?

— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) February 18, 2024

Hear me out…
Post fight ice baths.
Right after doctors check up.

— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) February 18, 2024

Fight of the night so far

— C H🖕🏽T O🇪🇨V E R A (@chitoveraUFC) February 18, 2024

What a fight! #ufc298

— Movsar Evloev (@MovsarUFC) February 18, 2024

Dam!! That’s a close fight! Who you give it to? Costa or Whitaker?#UFC298 @ufc @UFCEspanol

— Tracy Cortez’s ERA (@TracyCortezmma) February 18, 2024

Post-fight reactions to Robert Whittaker defeating Paulo Costa at UFC 298:

https://twitter.com/JonnyBones/status/1759087016523047209

I thought those cards made a lot of sense. #UFC298

— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) February 18, 2024

Whittaker
High-level, IQ fighter
Congrats champ @robwhittakermma

— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) February 18, 2024

Who would you like to see Robert Whittaker fight next following his victory over Paulo Costa this evening in California?