Robert Whittaker after UFC 302: Sean Strickland leaves it too close, doesn’t ‘define the rounds enough’
Robert Whittaker thinks Sean Strickland doesn’t win rounds convincingly enough.
Strickland (29-6 MMA, 16-6 UFC) defeated Paulo Costa by split decision in this past Saturday’s UFC 302 co-main event – a result UFC CEO was dumbfounded wasn’t unanimous after judge Dave Tirelli scored it in favor of Costa (14-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC).
Whittaker was critical of Strickland, pointing to his fighting style as the reason why he’s been involved in back-to-back split decisions.
“He leaves it too close. Every round is too close, and that’s why you lose some decisions you’re confident in winning,” Whittaker said on his MMArcade podcast. “That’s why you can inch out wins sometimes and that’s why you inch out losses sometimes because you don’t define the rounds enough, you don’t do enough to make yourself the obvious winner of the round.
“I don’t think he’s trying to do that. I think that’s just his fight style. His fight style looks annoying as hell, dude. He looks like a kid when a brother and sister are like, ‘I’m walking forward and if you walk into it, it’s your own fault’ sort of thing.”
Whittaker takes on Khamzat Chimaev June 22 at UFC on ABC 6 in what is being dubbed as a No. 1 contender bout. Regardless of how Strickland vs. Costa panned out, Whittaker thinks the winner of his fight should get the next title shot.
“It wasn’t a very exciting fight – the crowd were booing it at stages,” Whittaker said. “Sean was just kind of pressuring forward the whole time and Costa was on skates the entire time. … I would like to think we’re fighting for that spot regardless, but where does Sean go from here?”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 302.
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May 28, 2024; New York, NY, USA; UFC wrestler Paulo Costa the Eraser throws the first…
May 28, 2024; New York, NY, USA; UFC wrestler Paulo Costa the Eraser throws the first pitch before the game between the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgersat Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MAY 31: Paulo Costa is introduced during the UFC 302 Ceremonial Weigh-in…
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MAY 31: Paulo Costa is introduced during the UFC 302 Ceremonial Weigh-in at Prudential Center on May 31, 2024 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
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NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MAY 31: (L-R) Sean Strickland faces off with Paulo Costa during the…
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MAY 31: (L-R) Sean Strickland faces off with Paulo Costa during the UFC 302 Ceremonial Weigh-in at Prudential Center on May 31, 2024 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
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Jun 1, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Sean Strickland (red gloves) fights Paulo Costa (blue gloves) during UFC 302 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
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Sean Strickland def. Paulo Costa, UFC 302 1
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Jun 1, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Sean Strickland (red gloves) fights Paulo Costa (blue gloves) during UFC 302 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
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Jun 1, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Sean Strickland (red gloves) fights Paulo Costa (blue gloves) during UFC 302 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
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Jun 1, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Sean Strickland (red gloves) fights Paulo Costa (blue gloves) during UFC 302 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
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Jun 1, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Sean Strickland (red gloves) fights Paulo Costa (blue gloves) during UFC 302 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
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Jun 1, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Sean Strickland (red gloves) fights Paulo Costa (blue gloves) during UFC 302 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
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Jun 1, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Sean Strickland (red gloves) celebrates after the fight against…
Jun 1, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Sean Strickland (red gloves) celebrates after the fight against Paulo Costa (blue gloves) during UFC 302 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
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Sean Strickland def Paulo Costa UFC 302
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Sean Strickland def. Paulo Costa, UFC 302 Scorecard
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