UFC 243: Boss Dana White’s big prediction for Robert Whittaker
UFC president Dana White is readying to take on the NRL grand final with a headliner that he says will also push Robert Whittaker among the top five fighters on the planet.
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UFC president Dana White says Robert Whittaker will become one of the five greatest fighters anywhere in his company should he win the biggest bout in Australian sports history.
Speaking with The Sunday Telegraph from Las Vegas this week, White confirmed Whittaker would be catapulted to at least No. 5 on the pound-for-pound rankings if he beats undefeated New Zealander Israel Adesanya at Melbourne’s Marvel Arena on October 6.
Despite being scheduled to throw down the same day as the NRL grand final, the promoter also revealed tickets were selling faster than for UFC 193 at the same venue in 2015 — when Ronda Rousey and Holly Holm set the current attendance record of 56,214.
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But forget the crowd, the bigger talking point is exactly how big Whittaker gets with a win.
Recently, ESPN analyst Chael Sonnen suggested the Australian would jump to No. 1 on the P4P rankings if handed Adesanya his first loss.
Currently, Whittaker sits ninth.
White, however, suggested “The Reaper” would more likely go to fifth, and potentially fourth, should he retain the UFC middleweight strap.
Quizzed on Sonnen’s prediction, White said: “Look, this really is a big fight, no doubt.
“And an important fight.
“But it would be tough for anyone to jump over out current top three.”
Right now, American light heavyweight champ Jon Jones boasts top billing, with only the one contentious loss in 27 fights.
Next is undefeated lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov, with Henry Cejudo third, holding both the bantamweight and flyweight titles.
Irish megastar Conor McGregor, meanwhile, has slipped to 12th.
“When you look at what Jon Jones has done in his career, taking away all the personal stuff, it’s incredible,” White said.
“He only has that one loss on his record, and even it shouldn’t be there.
“Then you have Khabib, he’s undefeated after 28 fights.
“And think whatever you like about Cejudo, he’s a two belt champion who proved after his last performance that he’s definitely a bad guy.
“Still, before Whittaker got injured he was on an absolute tear, too.
“So with a win, I’d have no problem with him going top five.
“Rob is a guy with real power.
“Every fight you see him in, he’s always coming forward, has unbelievable power in both hands, outstanding chin — I think this is going to be an incredible fight.”
And as for the crowd?
“Yep, on pace to break the record,” White confirmed. “And that’s testament to the sports fans in Australia.
“I don’t know a lot about this NRL thing, but I’m guessing it will sell out too, right? It’s your Super Bowl.
“So how great are the fans down there, how big is your sports market when we can do both on the same day? It really is incredible.”