Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa: Preview, Where to Watch and Betting Odds

Middleweight mainstays Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa collide in an all-action bout for the co-main event slot at UFC 298. Both fighters have lost to Israel Adesanya in the past, with “The Last Stylebender” defeating Whittaker to win the Middleweight strap. With Dricus du Plessis now the Middleweight king, a win for either Whittaker or Costa could ensure a joust for gold against the South African champion. Robert Whittaker is the favorite ahead of the fight this weekend in Anaheim, California.

MMA: UFC Middleweight

Venue: Honda Center, Anaheim, California

Where to watch: PPV

Date: 18.02.2024. 09:45

The New Zealander has been a mainstay of the 185–pound class since debuting in 2012. In 2014, Robert Whittaker went on a nine-fight winning streak that took him to claiming the Middleweight gold in 2017. He lost the title to Israel Adesanya two years later; in 2022, “The Reaper” made a failed bid to reclaim the title from Adesanya before losing to Dricus du Plessis last July as the South African raced toward the championship. Aged 33, Whittaker is number three in the Middleweight rankings.

• Age: 33
• Height: 6’ 0’’
• Reach: 73.5”
• Weight: 185 Ibs (84kg)
• Record: 24-7

Paulo Costa’s last win came over another former middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold, in August 2022. That victory over Rockhold, which led to a return to winning ways after consecutive losses to Israel Adesanya and Marvin Vettori, was also the Brazilian’s last visit to the Octagon. Before his 2020 loss to Adesanya, the Belo Horizonte native had never lost a pro-MMA bout. With eleven knockouts from fourteen wins, the 32-year-old is a deadly striker with one of the most significant strikes landed-per-minute stat in UFC middleweight history.

• Age: 32
• Height: 6’ 0’’
• Reach: 72”
• Weight: 185 Ibs (84kg)
• Record: 14-2

Paulo Costa is a 2.87 underdog on Bet365. Total rounds Over 2.5 is priced at 1.62 odds on Bet365. Betwinner prices Robert Whittaker by KO or TKO at 4 odds and by decision at 2.3. The fight to go the distance is 1.8333 on 1XBET, and Whittaker to win in round one is 6 odds on 1XBET.