UFC fight results: Robert Whittaker destroys Kelvin Gastelum, eyes Adesanya rematch

Robert Whittaker all but booked a title rematch against Israel Adesanya - and he credits a Aussie combat star for helping him get there.

Robert Whittaker lost his UFC title to Israel Adesanya in 2019. Picture: AAP/Michael Dodge

Robert Whittaker wants to fight UFC middleweight champ Israel Adesanya in an Australian stadium blockbuster after proving, yet again, he is no longer the same guy who lost that gold strap in 2019.

Whittaker has declared himself the biggest fight for Adesanya after scoring a comprehensive decision win, and arguably the strongest performance of his career, against American Kelvin Gastelum in Las Vegas on Sunday.

Australia’s first UFC champion completely dominated the fight, with all three judges scoring the bout 50-45.

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Afterwards, the division’s No.1 contender not only said he wanted a rematch with Adesanya – “I think it’s time we cross paths again” – but also suggested the UFC schedule the headliner “back home” in September.

Asked about Adesanya immediately after the win on ESPN, the No.1 contender looked into the camera and said: “I think we should talk mate, I think it’s time we crossed paths again”.

Then at the post-fight press conference, Bobby Knuckles again doubled down when asked if the Kiwi now owed him a fight.

Robert Whittaker lost his UFC title to Israel Adesanya in 2019. Picture: AAP/Michael Dodge

“You know what’s funny?” he said. “After this win everyone is talking for me.

“And there is no other fight for me that makes sense now than the title shot.

“It’s the fight I want. And the fight I’m getting.

“There is no other fight.

“I’ve defended that No.1 (contender) spot three times now against the next big thing … so I know that’s the only fight left.”

Certainly there is no love lost between Whittaker and Adesanya, who immediately after the bout tweeted out ‘Good job my son’.

But as for the Aussie taking offence?

“I’ve played video games my entire life so I’m no stranger to trash talk,” Whittaker laughed.

“And, honestly, he gets to do it.

“He won the last fight between us.

Robert Whittaker put on a striking clinic against Kelvin Gastelum. Picture: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

“So it was coming right?

“That’s him being him.”

Whittaker, who lost his gold strap to Adesanya in 2019, has since won three straight against Englishman Darren Till, American Jared Cannonier and now Gastelum.

On Sunday, the 30-year-old Sydneysider clearly dominated all five rounds, which started with a beautiful high kick in the first and also saw him continually landing with his hands. According to UFC stats Whittaker out struck his rival in significant strikes, 150-62, with 115 of those to the head.

ESPN commentator Michael Bisping described the win as a “masterclass”, with the former UFC champ saying he now couldn’t wait to see this new, improved, version of Whittaker rematch Adesanya.

Robert Whittaker is set for a title rematch. Picture: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Bisping added that Whittaker should be next in line for a title shot, saying the performance had put him ahead of fellow contender, Italian Marvin Vettori who was present for the fight at the UFC Apex Centre.

Better, Whittaker’s training partner Jacob Malkoun also earned the first win of his UFC career in the main card, scoring a decision win over Abdul Razak Alhassan.

While Whittaker lost his title to Adesanya in devastating fashion at UFC 243, getting kayoed in the second round before some 60,000 fans in Melbourne, he later admitted to suffering from burn out, both mentally and physically.

“I don’t know where I was for that last fight,” he said when quizzed on the Adesanya loss.

“But obviously a rematch would be massive for the sport. I think it’s the biggest fight for him too, I don’t think there is a bigger fight in the middleweight division for him.

“And surely, I’ve stated my claim for that shot at the gold now.”

Elsewhere, Whittaker also crediting his sparring sessions against Australia’s rising boxing star Tim Tszyu for the Gastelum performance, and revealed he had been injured only two weeks out from the bout.

“The last two weeks of the preparation I started injuring my arms,” he said. “I hyper extended my elbow, then pulled the ligament in my right hand.

“Just little annoying things like that. But I was very happy with my performance.”