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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JULY 24: Robert Whittaker of New Zealand poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on July 24, 2020 in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JULY 24: Robert Whittaker of New Zealand poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on July 24, 2020 in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker was set to fight Paulo Costa on April 17th. However, Costa had to withdraw due to some severe illness. The Brazilian is suffering from the flu and won’t be ready in due time to face ‘The Reaper’.
Whether the UFC scraps the bout altogether or brings another fighter to replace the Brazilian remains unknown. There are rumors that the company might reschedule it for a later date.
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However, fans across social media have been calling for a rematch between ‘Bobby Knuckles’ and Israel Adesanya. What makes this fight such a firecracker is the fact that Whittaker lost his belt to ‘The Last Stylebender’ at UFC 243.
The former champion has since managed to rack up wins over the likes of Darren Till and Jared Cannonier. He has proved himself to be worthy of another crack at the title he once used to call his own.
However, Adesanya has just fought Blachowicz. Therefore, one might expect the champion to take some recovery time before he returns to action.
Btw Robert Whittaker after losing to Adesanya had to fight Darren Till, Jared Cannonier, and now Paulo Costa. And he was the champ. Jorge Masvidal a non champ who didn’t really deserve a shot in the first place had to wait a couple of months.
— LEON GANG‼️ (@PrinnyBro) March 16, 2021
Robert Whittaker should have a title defence to his name pic.twitter.com/CiHBpWxB0v
— healthy rob ⛷ (@healthyrob35) March 16, 2021
Fans all over social media seemingly want Whittaker to fight for the belt next. Some fans also suggested that Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson should move to middleweight and fight Whittaker and Adesanya.
Thompson holds a win 0ver Whittaker during the latter’s welterweight days. And considering Thompson’s striking pedigree, a fight with Adesanya would be exciting.
Robert Whittaker is coming off back to back top 5 wins over the 2 contenders the champion identified as his most deserving challengers. I don’t know why the concept of him wanting to wait for a title shot after Costa’s withdrawal is being treated as some sort of crazy demand 🥴
— Jordan Patu. (@Jordan_Patu) March 16, 2021
Robert Whittaker will end 2021 as the MW Champ again. He will smash Izzy this time https://t.co/4PBVtWxrlK
— 🛡🪓 (@bobbysknuckles) March 10, 2021
Whether Whittaker gets his shot against Adesanya or not is something that remains to be seen. However, in the current landscape of the middleweight division, the fight seems almost inevitable. Hallelujah!
Should the UFC rebook Robert Whittaker vs Paulo Costa?
Costa’s camp wants the UFC to reschedule the fight for May. But there are some great matchups in the middleweight division currently set to take place. Kevin Holland and Derek Brunson will fight this weekend. If Holland gets the win, he could very well call out Whittaker.
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JULY 26: Robert Whittaker of New Zealand celebrates after his victory over Darren Till of England in their middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on July 26, 2020 in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
What’s more, the fight between Darren Till and Marvin Vettori will be important in the landscape of the middleweight division.
That can prove to be decisive in who gets the shot at gold next. ‘Stylebender‘ has expressed his interest in fighting Till, as he believes that is a fun matchup stylistically.
But, ‘The Reaper’ already has a win over ‘The Gorilla‘. So, which direction should the promotion go?
