“Let the reap begin” – Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa’s UFC 298 teaser leaves fans hyped for middleweight clash

UFC 298's co-main middleweight contenders excite fans with their training progress.

“Let the reap begin” – Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa’s UFC 298 teaser leaves fans hyped for middleweight clash

Robert Whittaker and opponent-to-be share training snippets ahead of UFC 298 (Source: Twitter/IMAGO)

After two previous failed bookings, Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa will once again attempt to square off at UFC 298. UFC taskmaster Dana White recently announced that the former 185-pound titleholder will face Costa at the Feb. 17 event at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. While ‘Borrachinha’ recently assured fans of not pulling out, Whittaker has more stern resolves. The #3 185lbs contender attended the UFC 298 Media Day in Sydney and voiced his wishes to hurt the rival.

In a conversation with The MMA Hour‘s Ariel Helwani, ‘The Reaper’ prompted on not worrying about Paulo Costa pulling out of UFC 298. And that he is subsequently prepping for it. In previous sitdowns with Helwani himself, Costa (14-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) had mentioned letting go of a hash-off with Whittaker due to failed negotiations. But now, despite minimal promotions, both fighters have presented vital updates on social media.

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Robert Whittaker (24-7 MMA, 15-5 UFC) last competed on the main card of UFC 290 during International Fight Week. Meanwhile, Costa was to fight Khamzat Chimaev last at UFC 294 but pulled out due to chronic infection. As such, both the middleweights have been accordingly prepping for such a showdown. Check out a few tweets below:

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The matter has naturally attracted much fan attention. A prime reaction on X read – “Let’s go, bro! Let the Reap begin!” With Costa’s string of pullouts and Robert Whittaker out of action for a while, the matchup has built up much expectant angst. Concurrently, this isn’t the only such reaction to it.

Fight fans react to UFC 298 middleweight training montage and snippets

Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa for UFC 298 is slowly building up its hype. Despite garnering reservations as the first step to pull out on the Brazilian’s part, the fans remain hopeful now. And despite Costa having had five bouts canceled/rebooked in the past couple of years, Whittaker has maintained his cool.

Fans remain hopeful for 'tanky' middleweight Paulo Costa's performance at UFC 298
Fans remain hopeful for ‘tanky’ middleweight Paulo Costa’s performance at UFC 298 (Source: Twitter/IMAGO)

Currently, with both fighters providing updates, and edging closer to the bout, fans are getting hopeful moreover. Here’s how some fans have reacted to the fighter’s progress:

https://twitter.com/zeetoffees/status/1754130626767097973?s=20

A handful of fans have gibed at the duo respectively. This is in connection to Robert Whittaker’s UFC 290 skid, and Costa’s habitual pulling out. A fan has mentioned that Costa has championship-worthy mettle but he does not act with such urgency.

Other than that, both fighters have attracted much praise. Costa especially has attracted some awe with his buffed-up build. Only time will tell if the 185lber can hold up to his hype later this month.

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