UFC superstar Robert Whittaker accepts challenge to fight Paul Gallen in 2021

UFC superstar Rob Whittaker has happily accepted a fight with Paul Gallen — but it comes with a warning for the former NRL star.

Rob Whittaker will accept the challenge to fight Paul Gallen. Picture: Getty Images

UFC superstar Robert Whittaker has no problem switching sports to fight Paul Gallen early in 2021, saying of the undefeated heavyweight: “He doesn’t want to be a boxer, he just wants money”.

Despite competing at the UFC middleweight limit of 83.9kg, Whittaker has told The Daily Telegraph he will happily accept a fight with Gallen after the NRL great called him out on Wednesday night at Bankwest Stadium.

After earning an upset decision win over UFC legend Mark Hunt, Gallen immediately challenged Whittaker, who has lost only one of his last 12 UFC fights.

The Cronulla premiership hero than doubled down with journalists afterwards, labelling the western Sydney father-of-three a “condescending prick” who would get “smacked” if he tried to challenge for the UFC middleweight crown again.

Paul Gallen (right) scored an upset win against former UFC star Mark Hunt. Picture: Getty Images

Yet Australia’s first UFC champion has told Gallen he can give up on what has already been 24 hours of trash talk, stressing the former NSW Origin skipper “doesn’t need to egg me into a fight, it’s what I do for a living”.

After going five years without a loss in the UFC — which included claiming, then defending the middleweight crown — Whittaker’s run finally came to an end on the same day as the 2019 NRL Grand Final, when he lost his belt to breakout New Zealander Israel Adesanya.

Since then however, the 29-year-old has fought his way back into the title picture with comprehensive wins over rising English star Darren Till and hyped American Jared Cannonier.

Given Whittaker wants his next fight to be for a UFC title, he could potentially challenge Gallen in March or April — with Adesanya currently being linked to a bout with UFC light heavyweight champ Jan Blachowicz.

Asked about the Gallen’s call out on Thursday, Whittaker said he was ready to accept.

“Funnily enough, I’m in the fight business,” he grinned.

Rob Whittaker lost his UFC belt to Israel Adesanya in 2019. Picture: AAP

“Obviously I’ll need to be cleared by the UFC. And there’s a few other details that will also need to be sorted.

“But if everyone can come to terms then, yeah, I’ll happily show him the inside of my glove.”

Interviewed in the ring immediately after the Hunt win, Gallen said he wanted to face Whittaker after the UFC fighter had disrespected him during a 2019 podcast interview.

“Rob Whittaker, I watched you about a year ago in an interview and you were asked if you would fight me,” Gallen shouted. “You said ‘yeah I would fight him, but he wouldn’t fight me’ and you gave a condescending laugh.

“I’m here mate, I’m happy to meet you in here.”

The former NRL footballer then doubled down at the post-fight press conference, adding: “He (Whittaker) laughed, in a way that annoyed me.

“I thought ‘stuff you, you condescending pr..k.”

To which Whittaker says what?

“Paul really needs to settle down,” he replied, grinning. “When that question was asked, yes, I laughed because it was such an ‘out there’ thing.

“Like asking him about me jumping into the NSW Origin team.

“So I laughed and apparently that got under his skin.

“So I’m sorry Paul that you’ve had to hold a grudge for all this time.”

Paul Gallen called out Rob Whittaker after his win against Mark Hunt. Picture: Christian Gilles

But as for some podcast slight really being behind his call out?

“It’s about money,” Whittaker said.

“When it comes to combat sports, I’m one of the biggest names in this region.

“So I’m sure if this fight goes ahead, it will generate a lot of interest and generate a nice payday for him. That’s the main reason he fights.

“He doesn’t want to be a boxer. He wants to earn money.”

Elsewhere after Wednesday night’s win, Gallen also suggested he was the best fight for Whittaker given the No.1 middleweight contender would get “smacked” in any rematch attempt with Adesanya.

“Trying to poke the bear, isn’t he,” the MMA star laughed in response. “But honestly, I don’t give a f… what Paul Gallen thinks.

“Right now, he’s talking a big game.

Rob Whittaker says Paul Gallen doesn’t want to be a boxer, he just wants the money. Picture: Getty Images

“So maybe he should fight Adesanya next? Or come step into the Octagon with me?

“What Paul needs to understand is that he doesn’t have to try and egg me into a fight.

“I fight for a living.

“It’s what I do.

“And there are levels to this thing.

“Inside the Octagon, I’ve fought some of the baddest men on the planet. So I’m definitely not going to (dodge) a boxing fight with Paul Gallen.”

Already, Whittaker’s agent Titus Day has told The Daily Telegraph his client will need $1.5 million to switch sports and box Gallen.

While the Cronulla premiership hero has suggested Team Whittaker are trying to price themselves out of a fight, Day said again on Thursday that the seven-figure amount would be required if Whittaker was to switch from MMA for the one-off boxing showdown.