Robert Whittaker has no doubt that Paulo Costa will be there at UFC 284.
Whittaker (24-6 MMA, 15-4 UFC) is scheduled to face Costa (14-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) on Feb. 11 in Perth, Australia, but according to Costa, he’s yet to receive a contract for the fight.
Costa has one left on his current UFC deal. The Brazilian has expressed his discontent with his contract and as of this week has been calling his officially announced bout with Whittaker “fake news.” But Whittaker isn’t worried and thinks Costa is just having fun with the situation.
I’m Asking UFC to show my signs in this non-existent contract lol . That’s pure fakenews . https://t.co/79bvlwrB5W
— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) December 13, 2022
“This is my side, right? I signed a contract, and I’m training my butt off, and I’m starving myself to get down to the weight limit,” Whittaker told Submission Radio. “Someone is getting beaten up in February. OK? Like, what he’s doing, he’s a notorious troll for that sort of stuff, so I’m not paying too much attention. And I don’t think anybody else should pay too much attention to the dude that walks around with a bottle that says ‘Secret Juice’ on it.”
When asked if he’ll remain on the UFC 284 card regardless if Costa shows up or not, the former middleweight champion reiterated that he strongly believes Costa will be the one standing across from him.
“Mate, they’re not gonna find anyone. Costa’s gonna take the fight,” Whittaker added. “You guys are thinking into it. This is exactly what he wants. He just wants you talking about it. A hundred percent he’ll be there. If he misses this one, this is the second time we were supposed to fight, and he’s gonna bounce on it? And due to the fact that he’s not happy with his contract? Who is happy with their contract?! Like, just take the fight. Let’s get it on so I can have a holiday.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 284.
