UFC champion Israel Adesanya vows to ‘plant a flag in the head’ of Australia’s Robert Whittaker

Israel Adesanya has opened up again on UFC arch rival Robert Whittaker as their feud escalates, while another Australian fighter has had his fight details revealed.

Israel Adesanya has vowed to “plant a flag” in the head of Australia’s first UFC champ Robert Whittaker, while also confirming their Trans Tasman title blockbuster will not take place until 2022.

As first revealed by New Corp, Adesanya and Whittaker were set to headline UFC 268 at New York’s Madison Square Garden this November, however the New Zealand middleweight champ was unable to secure the quarantine exemptions required to re-enter his country afterwards.

As a result, the fight is not expected to take place now until next year.

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Yet despite the delay, two more of the division’s potential contenders will square off this Sunday (AEST), when Americans Kelvin Gastelum and Jared Cannonier headline a UFC Fight Night event in Las Vegas.

Elsewhere, rising Australian lightweight Jamie Mullarkey also confirmed on Friday that he will face American Devonte Smith at a UFC Fight Night event in October.

The Central Coast slugger is promising another knockout after finishing his most recent opponent in just 46 seconds.

Yet as for the ongoing feud that is Whittaker versus Adesanya?

Speaking on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour this week, Adesanya was asked to confirm News Corp’s report that a fight between the pair will not happen until 2022.

“Most likely,” the champ replied.

“Most likely … yeah.

Israel Adesanya celebrates his win over Robert Whittaker at UFC 243. Picture: AFP

“November was down but … you have to buy vouchers to quarantine (in New Zealand). And within three minutes of them getting announced they are all sold because you’ve got bots and people in other countries actively looking for them.

“So if you want to book, within three or four minutes the vouchers are gone.”

Asked if he was excited by a rematch with Whittaker, who he beat for the title in 2019, the fighter dubbed The Last Stylebender continued: “Lapping the division is what excites me.

“It’s not really about Whittaker. It’s about lapping everyone.

“He’s been on a run, beaten some tough guys. So (I want to) beat him again … leave no doubt, plant a flag in their head and let them know I own that, that’s mine.”

Meanwhile, Mullarkey is also now looking to continue his own rise in the lightweight division after defeating Pittsburgh native Khama Worthy in March via a stunning 46-second KO.

The former rugby player confirmed he has already received both Covid vaccinations and, despite being in lockdown, will still be able to prepare exactly as he needs to.

UFC fighter Jamie Mullarkey is set to take on American Devonte Smith at a UFC Fight Night event in October. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Better, the Coastie is predicting another finish against Smith, who has himself secured 10 of his 11 wins via knockout.

After losing his first two fights in the UFC, one via a controversial decision loss against Fares Ziam, Mullarkey is predicting an all-action affair come October.

“I’ve proven throughout my whole career that if you put me in with someone who wants to fight, I’m pure excitement,” he said. “That second fight (against Ziam) wasn’t because I had an opponent who didn’t want to engage in a fight.

“That made it dull.

“And while I feel I got a bad call, I’ve put that behind me. I actually consider myself 2-1 now in the UFC.”

Asked if he expected Smith to bring the fight to him, Mullarkey continued: “He looks like a tough, game opponent.

“And he’s got 10 knockouts, I’ve got about the same, so it’s going to be fireworks.

“While my start in the UFC wasn’t exactly the start I wanted, I have my feet under me now.

“And my progression from my debut to now, I’m twice the fighter I was.

“So I’m looking forward.”

Originally published as UFC champion Israel Adesanya vows to ‘plant a flag in the head’ of Australia’s Robert Whittaker