Robert Whittaker and Paul Gallen likely to strike a deal over 20kg difference so fight can go ahead

He usually weighs in at just under 84kg in the UFC but Rob Whittaker is willing to pile on the pounds for his hyped boxing showdown with Paul Gallen.

Rob Whittaker is willing to meet Paul Gallen at 100kg for their fight.

UFC superstar Robert Whittaker has revealed a 100kg ‘catch weight’ is the most likely landing point for his hyped boxing showdown with Paul Gallen.

As first revealed by News Corp, Whittaker has agreed to a one-off boxing switch after being called out by Gallen at Bankwest Stadium on Wednesday night.

The move represents a considerable shift for Australia’s first UFC champion, who as an MMA middleweight weighs in for bouts at 83.9kg.

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Rob Whittaker is willing to meet Paul Gallen at 100kg for their fight.

Gallen, meanwhile, hit the scales prior to Wednesday night’s upset win over UFC legend Mark Hunt at 103.6kg – or roughly 20kg heavier than Whittaker.

However, in a bid to make the fight happen, the UFC’s No.1 middleweight contender suggested a 100kg catch weight would be the most likely outcome.

Usually, Whittaker walks around at about 96kg.

The Sydneysider also regains around 8kg between his weigh-ins and entry into the Octagon some 30 hours later.

Asked about fighting a rival who weighed 104kg, Whittaker said: “I don’t really want to box over 100kg.

“That for me really is my off-season weight.

Whittaker is determined to continue his UFC career after fighting Gallen.

“But I’m sure we can find a happy medium between what I normally weigh in at and 104kg.

“I’m happy to find a suitable catch weight … that’s just one of the smaller details that we need to work through.”

Elsewhere, Whittaker revealed that while he has only seen footage of the final three rounds between Gallen and Hunt, he was impressed with the undefeated footballer-turned-boxer.

“You have to give it to Gallen, he wore some big shots,” Whittaker said.

“He was smart, too.

“Stayed on the outside, then dirtied it up on the inside so Mark couldn’t unload.

Whittaker was impressed with the way Gallen took down Mark Hunt.

“He really did all the right things in there.”

Regardless of what happens with his brief boxing switch, Whittaker also stressed his next UFC fight would have to be the title he lost last year.

Back in 2019, Whittaker was dethroned by undefeated New Zealander Israel Adesanya.

Yet while Adesanya now sits among the UFC’s biggest names, the Australian has also fought his way right back into the title picture after securing consecutive wins over fellow contenders, Englishman Darren Till and hyped American Jared Cannonier.

“So it has to be a title shot next,” Whittaker said. “That’s the right I’ve earned.

“Usually with me, I never care about these things. I’m in this game and I take fights.

Whittaker is determined to get a UFC title shot against Israel Adesanya.

“But the one thing I’m really adamant about is that I’ve earned myself a title shot.

“I’ve earned the No.1 contender spot twice now against dudes they (the UFC) have tried hyping up to title contention.

“And I took them both out.”

Asked if he could predict what Adesanya would do next, Whittaker laughed: “Who can tell what goes through that guy’s head?

“But I try not to think about that too much.

“That’s all stuff I can’t control.”

Originally published as Robert Whittaker and Paul Gallen likely to strike a deal over 20kg difference so fight can go ahead