UFC 284

It looks like we're getting a top flight middleweight fight for the UFC's return to Australia on February 12, 2023.

He came up short again, dropping a decision to Adesanya in their rematch—but jumped right back to his winning ways with a unanimous decision over Marvin Vettori at last month’s UFC Paris card. After losing his belt to Izzy back in 2019, Whittaker beat the likes of Darren Till, Jared Cannonier, and Kelvin Gastelum before getting a shot to win back UFC gold. It looks like the ex-middleweight champion is set to take on former title challenger Paulo Costa on the UFC 284 PPV card on February 12, in Perth, Australia.

HOUSTON, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 12: Robert Whittaker of Australia stands in his corner prior. A middleweight bout between Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa has been ...

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The 'dangerous' gamble Whittaker just took — and why champ won't be able to avoid him.

So for me to then not fight, it leaves a real sour taste in my mouth. So that’s my thoughts.” “And I owe all of my success and my popularity in the sport to my fans here. “Because I know I have a huge fan base here in Australia. “And I owe those guys a fight. “But in saying that, I know I’m the best fighter in the division. “So I don’t want to humanise them like that. “And I can handle him. “I have to fight them. “And I’m sure it won’t surprise you to learn I don’t follow the accounts of any UFC middleweights. “But I don’t want to do that. “And once I get that title fight the future will be decided from there.”

Australian star Robert Whittaker will face fellow top 10 middleweight Paulo Costa in the first bout announced for UFC 284 at RAC Arena on February 12.

We are thrilled to have him compete on home soil and against such an exciting opponent.” The three-round bout is the first fight on what UFC boss Dana White said would be a “stacked” card in Perth. The former champion was set to be on the first card in Perth in 2018 but was forced to withdraw because of injuries.

UFC's return to Australia has its first fight. In a pivotal Middleweight contender clash, former champion, Robert Whittaker (25-6), is set to face a ...

22, 2022). He’s [expected to challenge for the title](https://www.mmamania.com/2022/10/17/23410002/dana-white-it-makes-sense-for-alexander-volkanovski-to-get-next-lightweight-title-shot-mma) at some point after the fight should his services not be needed this weekend (Sat., Oct. Dropping losses in back-to-back encounters, Costa most recently rebounded in a Fight of the Night awarded showdown against Luke Rockhold in Aug. Whittaker will enter his next bout on the heels of an impressive unanimous decision victory over Marvin Vettori at UFC Paris last month (Sept. In a pivotal Middleweight contender clash, former champion, Robert Whittaker (25-6), is set to face a one-time title challenger, Paulo Costa (14-2), at UFC 284 in Perth, Australia on Feb. UFC 284 will be the promotion’s first time back in the country since its record-breaking attendance event, UFC 243, in Oct.