Yahoo Sports Social media reacts to Robert Whittaker’s win over Paulo Costa after surviving big kick at UFC 298
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
https://twitter.com/twrecks155/status/1759084968230449435?s=61&t=mOzy2hTn3bXzeFcNVGr_Kw
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
