Robert Whittaker v Jai Opetaia: Australia’s newest world boxing champion in talks to fight UFC superstar

In what would be Australia’s version of McGregor v Mayweather, UFC legend Rob Whittaker has fielded a surprise big-money approach to fight a rising boxing star.

Australia’s newest world champion Jai Opetaia is in negotiations with UFC sensation Robert Whittaker to stage a $5 million heavyweight super fight.

News Corp can reveal the Opetaia camp has kicked-off talks with Whittaker’s management with a view to the champion Sydney duo trading blows in one of the biggest bouts in Australian fight history.

Nicknamed ‘The Reaper’, Whittaker made history in July 2017 when he became the first Australian to win a UFC title, defeating Yoel Romero to emerge as one of the finest combat artists in the world.

A fortnight ago, Opetaia followed suit in his own craft, overcoming a broken jaw in two places to snatch the IBF cruiserweight world title from Mairis Briedis and supplant George Kambosos as Australian boxing‘s kingpin.

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Aussie star Jai Opetaia could face UFC king Rob Whittaker in the wake of his maiden world-title win a fortnight ago.

Now, plans have been hatched for Opetaia and Whittaker to face-off in a domestic fight blockbuster that would resemble Australia‘s version of Conor McGregor taking on Floyd Mayweather in 2017.

Opetaia’s promoter Dean Lonergan confirmed he has opened talks with the Whittaker camp.

“Yes, I’ve had some talks with Rob Whittaker’s manager and he is open to it,” Lonergan said.

“It would be the biggest fight we could make in Australia from a pay-per-view, publicity and credibility point of view.

“Jai is now Australia’s only boxing world champion and Rob is a UFC star who is acknowledged as one of the toughest fighters the world has ever seen, so it’s a fight that would be of interest.

“They have sparred in the past and if the finances are right for both guys, Whittaker‘s management indicated that Rob would definitely be keen on it.”

The Opetaia-Whittaker fight would be slated for March next year. That would allow Whittaker time to honour his remaining two-fight deal with the UFC, including his next bout against Marvin Vettori in France on September 3.

Whittaker became the first Australian to win a UFC title in 2017.

Lonergan is exploring possible venues in Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The duo would stand to pocket more than $2 million each from the fight, which would be slated for six or eight rounds.

The younger Opetaia, 27, would start favourite given his unbeaten record from 22 professional fights, 17 by knockout, but Whittaker’s excellent 23-6 UFC record commands respect.

Lonergan said the proposed bout would not jeopardise Opetaia’s hold on his newly-claimed cruiserweight world title.

“I have spoken to the IBF and they have me guidance on how to make this fight work,” he said.

“Because Jai has to fight someone in the top 15 of the IBF, and Whittaker doesn’t qualify, we would have to fight at 95kg, well above the cruiserweight limit (90.7kg).

Opetaia broke his jaw in two places in his world-title defeat of Mairis Briedis.

“Fighting at that weight, there would be no ramifications for Jai losing his belt.

“In Whittaker’s UFC contract, there is a provision for him to box. Jai would destroy him in my opinion, but Rob is very tough and like everyone in the combat sports game, money talks.

“It’s a fight that is very do-able and Titus Day (Whittaker’s manager) likes the idea.”

Opetaia said his immediate goal is unifying the cruiserweight division, but said the prospect of a mega payday against Whittaker has genuine appeal.

“I won’t say no to fighting Rob Whittaker,” he said.

“If they throw crazy numbers at me, of course I would fight him.

“If I have to beat Rob Whittaker for big money before I fight for more belts and unify the division, I would certainly look at it.”

Originally published as Robert Whittaker v Jai Opetaia: Australia’s newest world boxing champion in talks to fight UFC superstar