Robert Whittaker inserted himself back into the middleweight title picture Saturday when he defeated Paulo Costa in the UFC 298 co-main event.
Whittaker (25-7 MMA, 16-5 UFC), a former UFC champion, bounced back from a July loss to Dricus Du Plessis with a unanimous decision victory over Costa (14-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) in their key 185-pound matchup, which took place at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.
Check below for the top X (formerly Twitter) reactions to Whittaker’s win over Costa at UFC 298.
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MMA Junkie
THE CO-MAIN EVENT OF #UFC298 IS HERE!
Who you got, Robert Whittaker or Paulo Costa? 👇
Full coverage: https://t.co/yDSvDD7kg2 pic.twitter.com/Rp7mB0JtqW
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) February 18, 2024
UFC
Enter @BorrachinhaMMA! 🇧🇷
Paulo Costa hits the Octagon! #UFC298 pic.twitter.com/qv4dRKtOSi
— UFC_Asia (@UFC_Asia) February 18, 2024
UFC
The Reaper is on a mission! 😤@RobWhittakerMMA is seeking redemption! #UFC298 pic.twitter.com/MQzr5XtXEA
— UFC_Asia (@UFC_Asia) February 18, 2024
Aleksandar Rakic
The co-main is a banger 👀 #UFC298
— Aleksandar Rakic (@rakic_ufc) February 18, 2024
UFC
WHITTAKER. COSTA. LET THE SHOW BEGIN! 🔥 #UFC298 pic.twitter.com/elqQ8fcuUG
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) February 18, 2024
Claressa Shields
This fight looks to be very explosive!!!! 🧨 #UFC298
— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) February 18, 2024
Alan Jouban
They’re brutalizing each other’s calves! #UFC298
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) February 18, 2024
Brian Martin
Whittaker already has a welt on his right cheek, but he is taking the fight to Costa #UFC298
— Brian Martin (@TheBMartin) February 18, 2024
Fight Ghost
Costa leg fucked up and he is tired already…again. Horrible cardio on this guy. But still in with a chance because Whitaker ain’t the same cat. #UFC298
— Fight Ghost (@Fight_Ghost) February 18, 2024
Aaron Bronsteter
Costa just stole that round with the big shot at the end. Beautiful spinning wheel kick.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) February 18, 2024
Ben Askren
Wow Whittaker was killing him then get saved by the bell!!! What a crazy round
— Funky (@Benaskren) February 18, 2024
Chris Curtis
damn, Whittaker was looking great too! Costa is to big to be spinning 😂#UFC298
— Chris Curtis The Action Man (@Actionman513) February 18, 2024
Kevin Lee
Whittaker tough asf for eating that spin kick
— Kevin Lee MTP (@MoTownPhenom) February 18, 2024
Kamaru Usman
Oh these boys came to rumble 👊🏿 #UFC298
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) February 18, 2024
Eric Nicksick
Calf kicks have been a freebie for Rob, stay on it!! #UFC298
— Eric Nicksick (@Eric_XCMMA) February 18, 2024
ESPN MMA
COSTA 😂 #UFC298 pic.twitter.com/5c3ySzmeuQ
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) February 18, 2024
Chris Curtis
Whittaker's refusal to use his hands to defend punches is maddening… and so dangerous. #UFC298
— Chris Curtis The Action Man (@Actionman513) February 18, 2024
Anthony Walker
Whittaker sticking to his gameplan after taking that head kick shows incredible discipline #UFC298
— Anthony Walker (@AntWalkerMMA) February 18, 2024
Brian Kelleher
Whittaker dialed in right now
— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) February 18, 2024
Dustin Jacoby
The harsh reality of this sport is the fact that only one of these guys wins tonight! Both are fighting terrific IMO! #UFC298
— Dustin Jacoby (@thehanyakdj) February 18, 2024
Alan Jouban
Whitaker showing more damage, but having the better round. 19-19 going into the third. #UFC298
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) February 18, 2024
Luke Thomas
All tied up after two. Whittaker's timing and combo punching is causing Costa problems.
— Luke Thomas🏋️♀️ (@lthomasnews) February 18, 2024
Jake Ellenberger
Whittaker has one of the best counter right hands in the game. #UFC298
— Jake Ellenberger (@EllenbergerMMA) February 18, 2024
Eric Nicksick
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
Terrance McKinney
Kenny Florian
Both Whitaker and Costa have that wide base which offers great stability and power but its weakness is calf kicks. #UFC298. Whoever wins round 3 wins this fight imo.
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) February 18, 2024
Mike Pierce
If Whittaker keeps the pace and remains elusive, he's going to take this round and the fight. #UFC298
— Mike Pierce (@MikePierce170) February 18, 2024
Israel Adesanya
Hear me out…
Post fight ice baths.
Right after doctors check up.— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) February 18, 2024
Kevin Iole
Costa wins 29-28 on my card #UFC298
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) February 18, 2024
Marlon Vera
Fight of the night so far
— C H🖕🏽T O🇪🇨V E R A (@chitoveraUFC) February 18, 2024
Spinnin Backfist
29-28 Whittaker, but honestly just glad to see Paulo Costa back in the cage. #UFC298
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) February 18, 2024
Brad Tavares
What a fight by both men! I’d give that to @robwhittakermma #FOTN #UFC298
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) February 18, 2024
Terrance McKinney
That’s a classic fight these guys squared up for 15 minutes #UFC298
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) February 18, 2024
UFC
Robert Whittaker! Paulo Costa! Anaheim are on their feet! 👏 👏 👏 #UFC298 pic.twitter.com/t0DbwAlsBY
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) February 18, 2024
Teddy Atlas
Great close competitive fight, Whittaker won it with his jab in last round! #UFC298
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) February 18, 2024
MMA Junkie
#UFC298 results: Robert Whittaker (@RobWhittakerMMA) def. Paulo Costa via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Full coverage: https://t.co/yDSvDD7kg2 pic.twitter.com/dsEGndr1iR
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) February 18, 2024
Marc Raimondi
Whittaker: I'm looking to make amends against Dricus. I'm back. #UFC298
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) February 18, 2024
Jon Jones
Congrats! Ya siiiiiickkkkk c*unt @robwhittakermma #ufc298 🇦🇺
— BONY (@JonnyBones) February 18, 2024
