“I haven’t signed yet…” Weeks away from UFC 298, Paulo Costa casually gives yet another ALARMING update on Robert Whittaker fight

Paulo Costa informs on not having signed his fight contract yet again.

“I haven’t signed yet…” Weeks away from UFC 298, Paulo Costa casually gives yet another ALARMING update on Robert Whittaker fight

Paulo Costa has another update, mere weeks away from UFC 298 (Source: Twitter)

Fighter Paulo Costa has earned the moniker of “Pullout Costa” from fans; and for viable reasons. The strain started when Costa pulled out of his April 17 UFC Event vs. Robert Whittaker due to flu in 2021. Succeeding that he pulled out against Jared Cannonier. Tipping over the scale with Marvin Vettori in their weigh-in didn’t curry him any more favors. His last pullout was at UFC 294. He faces Whittaker next at UFC 298, which has instilled zero hopes in fans. Now, the fighter has more updates on the matter.

The 14-2 Brazilian middleweight pulled out of the UFC 294 co-mains due to a serious case of staph infection. While he was determined to muddle through, a consecutive third surgery delayed his recovery substantially. He was to face off against Khamzat Chimaev. Currently, this is what he had to say, talking to MMA Hour’s Ariel Helwani:

I tell you, I didn't sign yet...
Paulo Costa on The MMA Hour
YouTube video

In the segment, Costa discussed dropping out of his fight at UFC 294, his elbow injury, and reeling from ring rust, after a while. Helwani, one of MMA’s top journos, had asked Costa to confirm the rumors of the fight card happening in Saudi Arabia. “Borrachinha” scrunched a moment and said he didn’t sign.

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Conversely, this isn’t the only alarming tale. Very recently, Costa not signing his contract for the UFC 298 card garnered reservations from fans as a ‘first step to pulling out’. The whole discourse took place on X. And things haven’t turned out for the better.

Paulo Costa posts vague and murky tweets, amidst unsettled return

Paulo Costa squares off with Robert Whittaker at UFC 298. But his recent unsigned status (on his account) has not acclimated well with fight fans. Through Costa‘s recalling, the UFC once offered him a four-fight deal totaling half a million dollars for this fight. But he still had said no, which he reported to MMA Hour’s Ariel Helwani. His latest bunch of tweets have not instilled any further confidence.

Paulo Costa, who faces Robert Whittaker at UFC 298, hasn't signed his contract yet
Paulo Costa, who faces Robert Whittaker at UFC 298, hasn’t signed his contract yet (Source: Twitter/IMAGO)

Costa, the self-proclaimed ‘MEME’ God, tends to post funny iterations on his X account. Time and again, Costa’s new posts get gibed on his habitual strain of pulling out of a fight. He recently posted a meme on Twitter on the topic of overthinking. A prime retortion came – “Can you overthink your way into signing a contract please?“

Whittaker, in an interview with Niko Pajarillo for Australia’s “Mainevent” channel, recently called out Costa for March 2024. The former middleweight and “Borrachinha” were supposed to meet before, but the fight was canceled. Costa pulled out of the fight more than once. This was due to failed negotiations and then an infection. Now, Costa says he is ready for UFC 298; but his contractual unbinding has come off as very unsettling.

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