Robert Whittaker (photo via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

The UFC is close to booking a pivotal middleweight bout, as it’s being reported that a bout between former champ Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa is nearly finalized.

UFC officials have informed ESPN that the fight is being targeted for April 17th. The bout will headline the event, which has yet to have a location determined.

Whittaker (22-5) is coming off a decision win over Jared Cannonier in October, and has won two straight, since he was stopped by champion Israel Adesanya in 2019.

Costa (13-1) hasn’t fought since he was taken out by Adesanya in September.

Currently, Costa is ranked #2 in the UFC’s middleweight division and Whittaker is #1.