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