ROBERT Whittaker has no interest in “acting like an idiot” to try and force a trilogy bout with Israel Adesanya – while also insisting South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis can also only get to UFC gold via him.
Only days after Adesanya reclaimed the middleweight title at UFC 287, Whittaker has responded to suggestions he should be overlooked as next man up for a range of rival challengers – among them Jan Blachowicz, Khamzat Chimaev, Jamahal Hill, even du Plessis.
Should Australia’s first UFC champ be overlooked for a title trilogy showdown with the New Zealand superstar, he says it should be him — not Adesanya — who fights the No.6 ranked du Plessis at International Fight Week.
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Whittaker added that no other fighter in the middleweight division made sense for him, including American Sean Strickland who, ranked No.7, is “too low”.
The 32-year-old also hit back at claims he should be publicly “demanding” a trilogy bout with Adesanya, who has already beaten him twice.
Earlier this week, popular US podcaster Chael Sonnen even revealed a Whittaker-Adesanya trilogy was “the last thing” UFC executives want to happen.
Sonnen went on to suggest that, during the pair’s second fight in 2022, the Aussie star did not do enough to hype the fight, saying “Whittaker’s involvement did not make people happy”.
It is not the first time UFC executives have apparently been upset with Whittaker’s low-key approach to fight promotion, despite him now having gone nine years and 13 fights without loss to anyone not named Adesanya.
Speaking about a potential trilogy fight, Sonnen said: “Putting Whittaker into that spot could happen. But it’s the last thing they (UFC) want.
“I’m going to word it like that and just be nice.
“Whittaker’s involvement in their rematch did not make people happy … I’ll leave it at that”.
Yet speaking with Fox Sports Australia on Friday, Whittaker insisted there was no way he would try and talk his way into a third title fight because “if I went out there acting like an idiot my dad would kick my arse”.
Asked about Sonnen’s suggestion the UFC did not want to give him next at Adesanya, Whittaker shrugged: “Well, I can see where he’s coming from.
“My work inside the Octagon, it’s always spoken louder than anything I’ve said outside of it.
“And I’m not about to change.
“I’m not going to put on some mask to get that Adesanya fight.
“I’m not throwing out demands or making a big show of this, either.
“I’m just not.”
Pushed on being more outspoken like, say, Sonnen, Michael Bisping, or even Colby Covington to guarantee himself an immediate trilogy bout, Whittaker continued: “The UFC love storylines and good luck to them.
“They’re a business so title shots aren’t always merit based.
“And I’m not pointing fingers or blaming anyone, that’s just the truth.
“Which is fine.
“It just means I’ve had to work a little harder than some other fighters to get my title shots.
“But (despite that) I didn’t complain initially, and I won’t complain now.
“Because down at my gym some days, a parent will come up to me and say ‘Rob, you’re a great role model for my son’.
“That’s what it’s all about for me.
“It’s only a small thing too, but if I went out there acting like an idiot, my dad would kick my arse.
“He’s proud of me.
“Proud of me as a man and staying true to who I am. That means something.
“So I’ll stay true to who I am and just continue starching everyone the UFC put in front of me.
“And I’ll do that until they run out of bodies.
“Then it’s me and Adesanya.”
WHITTAKER V DU PLESSIS
ROBERT Whittaker says Sean Strickland is “too low” in the UFC rankings to get next crack at him – and says South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis is the only logical fight if he isn’t granted a title shot next.
While talks are already building for a championship bout between du Plessis and Adesanya – plus, that storyline about who the most ‘real’ African fighter – Whittaker says the only road to a title is through him.
The division’s No.1 contender also said there was no way he should have to fight Strickland next, as has been suggested.
“Bit too low on the ladder,” Whittaker said.
“Among middleweights, I’m the number one contender. Always have been, even with Pereira jumping the queue.
“So if you want the two best guys in the world to stand opposite one another – the two who are really best – then it’s myself and Adesanya.
“That’s just facts.”
If Whittaker isn’t given a title shot however, he wants du Plessis because “he’s the only guy in the top five I haven’t beaten.”
But what chance the UFC allows you to potentially ruin any chance of a future showdown between the South African and Adesanya?
“Well, what a storyline if he beats me,” Whittaker grinned.
“He won’t though.
“But if he wants to try jump the queue, I’ll bash him first.
“And then there’s nobody left.”
So as for talk of potentially giving du Plessis a title shot ahead of you?
“The whole South African thing with Izzy, yeah, it’s a story,” he said. “But I don’t think du Plessis has a lot of value just yet.
“I think he has work to do before he gets that shot.
“But who knows?
“He’s a good fighter, strong boy.
“But I’ve fought 100 strong boys. They’re kind of my favourite fights.”
Whittaker added he wants to fight twice more this year, adding: “And if it isn’t against Adesanya next then I’d like to go in International Fight Week”.
