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Stephen Foote

Rejuvenated former middleweight champ Robert Whittaker insists there is only one opponent he has any interest in and that is Israel Adesanya, no matter what UFC president Dana White says.
After his convincing win over Jared Cannonier at UFC 254 to cement his status as the division’s No 1 contender, Whittaker was almost dismissive of the opportunity he’d earned to reclaim his belt in a rematch against “The Last Stylebender”.
And while the New Zealand-born Australian is adamant that enjoying Christmas with his family and their new addition is his immediate priority, with the benefit of a week to reflect his sights are firmly fixed on the Kiwi-Nigerian.
“That is the only fight I want,” Whittaker told SCMP MMA. “It’s the only fight that makes sense for me right now to take. It’s the only fight that I want to run back and see if I can do better.”
But precisely when, or even if, Adesanya will be ready and willing to face the Australian is an entirely different question. White confirmed the 31-year-old’s next fight would be a light heavyweight title challenge against Jan Blachowicz, after claiming Whittaker had turned down the rematch.


But that seems at odds with Whittaker’s intentions – in no rush to return, at least in the immediate future, he is simply content to bide his time.
“I know [Adesanya] wants to do some things up in different weight divisions, so he’s doing his thing and I’m happy to chill and just cruise out,” he said. “I wanted to enjoy Christmas and the beginning of next year with my new baby so that takes precedence over everything. After that’s done, I look forward to making a scheduled date and looking to see what we can do.”

With Adesanya’s light heavyweight debut mooted to take place in March, it could mean a lengthy wait for Whittaker. And for what it‘s worth, “Bobby Knuckles” believes his adversary Adesanya will have no trouble competing at the higher weight class.
“I think I’m encouraging him for the wrong reasons – I want to see him go up there and fight big boys,” he said, laughing. “He’s a super talented fighter and he’s very, very good, so I don’t think he’ll have any problem moving up.
“He’s one of the few dudes in the middleweight division that could. He’s tall enough, he’s strong enough, he’s fast and talented enough. I think he could tear it up there.”
UFC: Adesanya in talks for Blachowicz fight; Dana will ‘let him do it’
In October 2019, the 29-year-old Whittaker was dispatched with relative ease by Adesanya in the headline act of the record-breaking UFC 243 in Melbourne to bring his middleweight title reign to an end.
Whittaker has since revealed that personal issues had hindered his preparations for the fight and prevented him from performing at his peak.
With those demons now exorcised and two impressive wins to his name, Whittaker feels he’s back to his best.

“If I was to sum the entire difference up in a few words, it would be that I was a mess. I was a bit of a jumble. A bit lost,” he admitted.
“Now I just feel clear headed. I feel like I have direction. I feel like everything is done with purpose and assuredness. I feel really good.”


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Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

UFC: Robert Whittaker insists he wants Israel Adesanya rematch – despite Dana White claims

Robert Whittaker punches Israel Adesanya during their middleweight title bout at UFC 243 in Melbourne. Photo: AFP

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - OCTOBER 25: (L-R) Robert Whittaker of Australia punches Jared Cannonier in their middleweight bout during the UFC 254 event on October 25, 2020 on UFC Fight Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

July 26, 2020; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Robert Whittaker (red gloves) of New Zealand punches Darren Till (blue gloves) of England in their middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via USA TODAY Sports

UFC: Israel Adesanya in talks for Jan Blachowicz fight, says coach; Dana White will ‘let him do it’

Israel Adesanya is set to fight Jan Blachowicz for the UFC light heavyweight title.

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - SEPTEMBER 27: (L-R) Jan Blachowicz of Poland punches Dominick Reyes in their light heavyweight championship bout during UFC 253 inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on September 27, 2020 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - SEPTEMBER 27: (R-L) Israel Adesanya of Nigeria kicks Paulo Costa of Brazil in their middleweight championship bout during UFC 253 inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on September 27, 2020 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)

UFC: Dana White says it’s ‘disgusting’ but ‘unfortunately true’ Anderson Silva could fight again after Uriah Hall loss

Anderson Silva reacts after his loss to Uriah Hall in their middleweight bout on what was his final appearance in the UFC. Photo: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 31: (L-R) Anderson Silva of Brazil kicks Uriah Hall of Jamaica in a middleweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on October 31, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 31: (R-L) Uriah Hall of Jamaica punches Anderson Silva of Brazil in a middleweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on October 31, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 31: (L-R) Anderson Silva of Brazil and Uriah Hall of Jamaica trade punches in a middleweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on October 31, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

UFC: Dana White in talks with Khabib over shock retirement U-turn – ‘have a feeling he might go for 30-0’

Khabib Nurmagomedov reacts after winning his match against Dustin Poirier. Photo: Reuters

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - OCTOBER 25: (L-R) Khabib Nurmagomedov of Russia celebrates his victory over Justin Gaethje in their lightweight title bout during the UFC 254 event on October 25, 2020 on UFC Fight Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

UFC 254: Robert Whittaker back to his brilliant best, as Dana White says title shot now awaits

Robert Whittaker punches Jared Cannonier in their middleweight bout at UFC 254 on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. Photos: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - OCTOBER 25:  (R-L) Jared Cannonier punches Robert Whittaker of Australia in their middleweight bout during the UFC 254 event on October 25, 2020 on UFC Fight Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

UFC: Dana White says Khamzat Chimaev will be ‘massive superstar’ if he beats Leon Edwards

Khamzat Chimaev punches Gerald Meerschaert in their middleweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on September 19, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

July 26, 2020; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Khamzat Chimaev (red gloves) of Czechia punches Rhys McKee (blue gloves) of Northern Ireland in their welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via USA TODAY Sports

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‘It’s the only fight I want,’ says former middleweight champ, despite UFC president claiming he turned it down
Whittaker excited to ‘run it back and see if I can do better’, admitting he was ‘a mess’ and ‘a bit lost’ going into UFC 243 in Melbourne



Robert Whittaker excited to ‘see if I can do better’ against Israel Adesanya, despite UFC president Dana White claiming he turned down rematch against middleweight champ.
