Paulo Costa (photo via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

It looks like the UFC is going to have to find a new main event for its April 17th card, as it’s being reported that Paulo Costa cannot compete due to illness.

Costa was scheduled to fight former middleweight champ Robert Whittaker at the upcoming card. Following an initial report from AG Fight, sources told MMA Fighting Costa is battling a severe case of the flu, and cannot compete.

It’s not known yet whether the UFC will try to find a new opponent for Whittaker, for April 17th. Or, move the fight to a later date.

The 29-year-old Costa (13-1) is coming off the first loss of his pro career. In September, he was stopped by champion Israel Adesanya in round two.

The 30-year-old Whittaker (22-5) has won consecutive fights over Darren Till and Jared Cannonier, after being stopped by Adesanya in 2019.