Other than a scare late within the first spherical, former champion Robert Whittaker turned in an outstanding efficiency in an all-out hanging affair in opposition to Paulo Costa.
The middleweight bout was one stuffed with motion from two highly effective top-tier fighters. When time expired after three rounds, Whittaker (25-7 MMA, 16-5 UFC) claimed victory over Costa (14-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) by incomes scores of 29-28, 29-28, and 30-27.
COSTA ROCKED WHITTAKER TO END ROUND 1 😳 #UFC298 pic.twitter.com/rILE5NajcQ
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 18, 2024
From the start, it was clear this combat can be stuffed with hard-hitting motion.
Highly effective kicks from each began the combat, with Whittaker investing assaults to the legs, whereas Costa went excessive. Left hand jabs have been additionally on show early. The tempo was quick as Whittaker managed from the middle. The previous champ managed the motion by darting out and in with punches, inflicting Costa to play his counter sport or look forward to probabilities between Whittaker’s choices.
Within the closing seconds, Costa uncorked a spinning heel kick that caught Whittaker proper on the jaw, wobbling him badly. Someway, Whittaker made it to the second spherical.
Whittaker got here out in Spherical 2 with the identical plan of assault. Costa smiled as Whittaker cracked him with a tough shot. In response, Costa peppered his jab and circled as blood started to trickle from Whittaker’s nostril. Costa’s thumb by accident poked Whittaker’s eye inflicting a quick pause, however when the combat resumed, they went proper again into the firefight.
Arduous leg kicks dug in from Whittaker, affecting Costa’s motion. Whittaker’s counterpunching started to shine within the second half of Spherical 2 as properly.
BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER 😮💨@RobWhittakerMMA takes house the UD in our #UFC298 co-main occasion! pic.twitter.com/S41tTqNWQv
— UFC (@ufc) February 18, 2024
Simply 5 minutes remained, and the high-paced motion continued. Costa selected leg kicks whereas Whittaker related with punches upstairs. Costa referred to as for Whittaker to face within the heart of the cage and throw down, however Whittaker saved to his plan. Whittaker’s darting strikes scored properly, whereas Costa loaded up for extra highly effective strikes. Arduous leg kicks from Whittaker additionally gave Costa bother because the combat got here to a detailed.
