Aussie star Robert Whittaker says UFC president Dana White may have to step in and secure his promised title fight
He’s the undeniable number one contender yet UFC champ Israel Adesanya is looking at fights in other divisions. Aussie star Rob Whittaker may need high-powered intervention to get his next title shot.
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Robert Whittaker concedes UFC president Dana White may have to step in and secure his promised title shot, saying champion Israel Adesanya “doesn’t want to fight me”.
Currently quarantining in Sydney, Whittaker has told News Corp a middleweight title blockbuster is all “that makes sense” after beating American Jared Cannonier at UFC 254 last Sunday.
Apart from breaking his rival’s arm in the first round of their Abu Dhabi showdown with a kick, the win was also Whittaker’s second big scalp in just 12 weeks — and followed his win over Englishman Darren Till in July.
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All of which makes Bobby Knuckles the division’s undeniable No.1 contender.
However, speaking with the New Zealand Herald this week, Adesanya’s coach Eugene Bareman revealed his charge had “no interest” in re-matching Australia’s first UFC champion.
He said Adesanya felt it was too early to give another shot to the fighter he took the gold strap from via second round KO last October.
Instead, Bareman hinted the undefeated Adesanya (20-0) could potentially move up in weight and challenge UFC light heavyweight champ Jan Blachowicz.
Yet speaking from his Sydney hotel room on Friday, Whittaker suggested there was a far simpler explanation for Adesanya looking outside the division.
“He doesn’t want to fight me,” the 29-year-old cackled.
“Doesn’t want to talk about me.
“Obviously we don’t like each other much, that’s one reason for it. But he also knows I’m at that (championship) level.
“That I’m not going to be a cake walk for him.
“And don’t get me wrong, he’s phenomenal fighter.
“When we run it back too, Izzy will be tough. Crazy hard.
“But I also think he sees the danger that I bring.”
Already, White has said Adesanya’s next fight should be a re-match with the Aussie dubbed ‘Reaper’.
So what chance it helps having the boss on your side?
“Absolutely,” Whittaker said.
“And the UFC has always been very good to me.
“So we’ll see.
“Before fighting Cannonier, Dana came out and said it would determine the No.1 contender.
“Then afterwards he also said ours was fight that made sense.
“And I know (Adesanya) wants to move up or whatever.
“So I guess we just work on timelines now.
“I’ll see what he does and then work out a date for next year.
“Personally, the fight that makes sense for me is the fight with Israel.”
Certainly Whittaker believes he will be a far different fighter to the one who competed before 60,000 fans inside Marvel Arena, Melbourne at UFC 243.
Adesanya completely outclassed the then champ, knocking him down twice before claiming a second round KO.
Since then, however, Whittaker has revealed he was “burned out” for some time before the fight.
After breaking down in the Wanda sand dunes on Christmas Day, the Sydney father-of-three has since overhauled his training program – and mindset – to claim consecutive wins against opponents who were themselves considered next up for a title shot.
So as for how an Adesanya re-match now plays out?
“Ah, who knows?” Whittaker laughed.
“I do feel like this is a new chapter in my career.
“And I really am enjoying myself.
“But who is to say I get in there with Izzy and the same s**t doesn’t happen again?
“This sport, it’s a cruel mistress.
“But I can only keep doing what I’m doing. Get into another camp and then go give it a real Aussie crack.”