Robert Whittaker confirms Paulo Costa fight stands canceled despite UFC offering him a new contract

Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa were reportedly scheduled to meet in a middleweight bout at UFC 284 in February 2023.

The highly-anticipated fight has been pulled from the card amid Costa's contract dispute with the UFC. The No.2-ranked middleweight, Robert Whittaker, took to Twitter to express his frustration with the cancelation.

In a video shared on his Twitter account, Whittaker stated:

"The fight was canceled, it's fallen apart. UFC tried everything in their power to get him to the fight. They gave him the new contract, from what I understand, to take the fight, and he still didn't take the fight."

Whittaker continued:

"The Perth fight is not happening. They're looking to reschedule me in March [or] April. This is very upsetting. This is very upsetting. I'm sorry to all the friends, fans, family that are heading over there to watch me do work, but it's out of my hands. I'm upset."

With nearly two months until the event, it is a bit surprising that the UFC didn't attempt to find a new opponent for Robert Whittaker.

The No.2-ranked middleweight remains one of the most popular and talented fighters to hail from Australia, making his absence on the card noteworthy.

Watch Robert Whittaker's full comments on the cancelation of his UFC 284 bout with Paulo Costa below:

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Paulo Costa blames the UFC for the cancelation of bout with Robert Whittaker

While Robert Whittaker claimed that Paulo Costa was offered a new contract, the No.6-ranked middleweight blamed the UFC. He claimed that he never agreed to the fight and that the promotion was simply using the fighters to sell tickets.

Costa took to his Twitter account, stating:

"Guys sending me this, I feel sad for Robert because the UFC didn't tell him the truth lol, you don't deserve this. Bro, sorry I won't fight you in Perth UFC posting this (Robert vs Costa)just to sell tickets, you need to realize that.They didn't pay me, I'm out!I’m not joking 🙃" [sic]

He then blamed the UFC for botching the contract negotiations in a follow-up tweet:

"Great fights is going down due to lack of negotiation skills, they should stop being petty 👍🥤"

Costa had previously claimed that he was offered a six-fight contract despite having no interest in a multi-fight deal. He has one fight remaining on his contract and has teased about leaving the promotion.

Check out Paulo Costa's tweets below: