Israel Adesanya Gives His Pick for Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa Fight

[Substance Abuse]

Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has assessed how the battle between Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa could play out.

While the title he formerly held was on the line at last month's pay-per-view event in Toronto, Canada, Adesanya will no doubt have a similarly close eye on the major matchup at 185 pounds set for Anaheim, California, this weekend.

In the UFC 298 co-main event, ex-champ Whittaker and former title challenger Costa will collide in pursuit of advancing their ambitions of gold.

For Whittaker, this will mark his first outing since a shock defeat to now-kingpin Dricus Du Plessis seven months ago. But Costa's layoff significantly surpasses that, with the Brazilian not entering the cage since August 2022.

Although "Borrachinha" has vowed to show a completely new version of himself en route to a statement-making win at the Honda Center, Adesanya is backing his other former opponent...

"Stylistically, let me see. I think Rob's gonna wrestle him. Rob can definitely land the takedown, maybe not early on," Adesanya said. "Rob will be at distance, feints, pump-faking, doing his f*cking oblique kick. Costa, I think he'll go to Rob. He might not respect Rob, unless Rob gets some respect straight away with the jab or his leg kicks or right hand.

"Costa will try to walk him down, but if Rob's smart, don't get to the fence because that's where he'll bully you," Adesanya continued. "Use good footwork. If Rob ends up behind the black line, that's when Costa's gonna put the pressure on. He does his best work when people are on the fence... I feel Rob will win by decision, UD. He's gonna land a couple takedowns. He might rock Costa, but I don't think so."

Whittaker will unsurprisingly enter UFC 298 as the favorite, with many expressing doubt over Costa's chances given his recent layoff and performance last time out against Luke Rockhold.

Nevertheless, "Borrachinha" has promised to deliver the kind of upset that saw Du Plessis push toward the title on the back of defeating Whittaker.

Link: Adesanya Gives Whitaker/Costa Pick

 

[Kyler Ruxin]

don't really give a shit who wins, just hoping for a war.

 

[tritestill]

Yea, watched this yesterday

 

[PurpleStorm]

Thanks @Substance Abuse. I picked Whittaker by decision on my tap card. Was considering changing to Costa. I like Izzy's analysis so what the heck I'll stick with Whittaker. Looking forward to this one.

Who ya all got?

Hope to see ya in the PbP!

 

[StonedLemur]

Thanks @Substance Abuse. I picked Whittaker by decision on my tap card. Was considering changing to Costa. I like Izzy's analysis so what the heck I'll stick with Whittaker. Looking forward to this one.

Who ya all got?

Hope to see ya in the PbP!

I picked Rob via decision too sir.

 

[World eater]

The possibility of Whittaker losing makes me sad. I always thought he would eventually recapture the belt, but the window of opportunity seems to be closing.

 

[StonedLemur]

The possibility of Whittaker losing makes me sad. I always thought he would eventually recapture the belt, but the window of opportunity seems to be closing.

Bring your optimism up sir, don't make me beat you senseless lol.

 

[oski]

 

[TheGreatA]

We all know what Costa brings to the table at this point. Pressure, durability, sustained attack to the body.

If Whittaker can't handle that then it's probably because he just can't take the punishment anymore. In his prime, I believe Whittaker was a level above Costa, who's pretty limited at the end of the day.

 

[Spath]

don't really give a shit who wins, just hoping for a war.

That’s the spirit

 

[Egészségére!]

 

[HI SCOTT NEWMAN]

Going with Whittaker by decision or maybe even TKO in round 3. He has much more skill and talent than Costa. Hope Costa shows up too, waiting for the octagon walks to be sure

 

[chinarice]

After he cheated. Hall was tuning him before the eyepoke

Whittaker by UD. Rob won't be Costa's only win over someone remaining on the UFC roster

 

[fizzlehiss]

Whittaker's wide karate stance will be too susceptible for leg kicks. Costa also has short hooks that can punish the way rob lunges his head forward for jabs and leaves it unprotected with his swings. No way he holds Costa down too looking how easily Costa shrugged off TD attempts in early rounds against other opponents, and he trained wrestling a lot more for the Khamzat matchup.

Rob has no choice but to point fight with his jab and distance management. If Paulo pushes forward Rob will gas out because he has a shoddy gas tank as he was visibly very uncomfortable from Dricus pace.