For months together Paulo Costa has been trying to explain that he is not fighting Robert Whittaker at UFC 284: Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski. However, it’s safe to say, fans don’t believe a word of it. And Paulo Costa is to blame, for his Twitter antics, and trash talk is never taken seriously by UFC fans.
But, recently, on a serious note, Paulo Costa reminded fans about his ongoing contract negotiation dispute with the UFC and went as far as to say that the promotion is using his match-up against Robert Whittaker to sell tickets for UFC 284. After all, it’s happening in Whittaker’s home.
Costa took to Twitter and claimed that the UFC has been lying to Robert Whittaker. “I won’t fight in Perth,” he further added.
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UFC will touch down in Perth, Australia for the much anticipated Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski as the Australian fighter and current featherweight champion jumps up a weight class in his attempt to become a two-division champion. Needless to say, if the promotion is going to Australia, it has to have Robert Whittaker on it.
As soon as the news came around that the UFC is heading to Australia, Whittaker expressed his desire to compete on the card come what may. And that’s what happened as weeks later, the promotion announced Whittaker vs Costa on the main card of UFC 284. Now it seems like, the fight is not happening!
Is Robert Whittaker fighting Paulo Costa at UFC 284?
Brett Okamoto of ESPN reports that Whittaker vs Costa will not take place at UFC 284 in Perth, Australia. Robert Whittaker has not reacted to Paulo Costa‘s claims of not having booked a fight for UFC 284. The former middleweight title challenger has maintained that he has not signed the contract. Costa’s next fight will mark his last on his current UFC contract.
The UFC middleweight has expressed his desire to compete inside the boxing ring, and try free agency after frustrations with the company regarding fighter pay. Costa has also said he could well be out of the promotion without fulfilling his current contract should he come to terms with the UFC.
