Paulo Borrachinha is punched by Robert Whittaker at UFC 298 Image: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
The long awaited return of Paulo Borrachinha to the octagon, after a year and a half away, he was frustrated by Robert Whittaker, in the ‘co-main event’ of UFC 298, this Saturday (17), in Anaheim, California (USA). The Australian, former middleweight champion (84 kg), used his speed and volume of strikes to prevail in the judges’ unanimous decision.
As a result, Borrachinha finds himself in an uncomfortable situation. The miner – number 6 in the middleweight rankings – now has three defeats in his last four fights, his worst phase in his career. Thus, the dream of returning to a title fight moves away from the ‘Team Borracha’ athlete.
In turn, Whittaker recovered after suffering a defeat to South African Dricus du Plessis, current champion of the category, in July last year. Third in the division’s top 15, the Australian puts himself back in the running for a potential opportunity to regain the belt that was once his.