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Robert Whittaker hoping to secure third fight with UFC rival Israel Adesanya: ‘I wanna beat him for the title’

Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker says he is persistent to defeat anyone in the way of a trilogy with Israel Adesanya. ‘The Reaper’ has had a very eventful and successful UFC career, but much of it has been overlooked due to his history with current champion Adesanya. Since 2014, Robert Whittaker has torn through the […]

Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker says he is persistent to defeat anyone in the way of a trilogy with Israel Adesanya.

‘The Reaper’ has had a very eventful and successful UFC career, but much of it has been overlooked due to his history with current champion Adesanya.

Since 2014, Robert Whittaker has torn through the division, only falling short to Adesanya during that time period.

Speaking with Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour, Robert Whittaker admitted that it could potentially be difficult to convince the UFC and its fans why a trilogy would be necessary, therefore he is prepared to eliminate anyone in his way out of title contention.

“I understand the position that I’m in. I understand that I fought him twice and I want that third fight. And if I have to ruin a lot of other people’s days to get it then I’ll do that.

The Australian fighter says winning back his UFC gold was always the goal, but following UFC 287 he became laser focused on specifically taking it back from Adesanya.

“I really want to fight ‘Izzy’ again. I really want to fight him specifically,” Whittaker said. “I wanna beat him for the title.

With many overlooking his chances at a title due to his knockout and decision losses to ‘The Last Stylebender’, fans often forget that no one else has really been able to solve the Whittaker puzzle.

He may not be getting any younger but at 32-years-old it’s safe to say he may still have plenty in the tank.

Bobby Knuckles first went head-to-head against Adesanya in a record-setting Oceania spectacle with over 57,000 people in attendance.

Robert Whittaker targets summer UFC return

With Adesanya likely sending Alex Pereira on his way to light heavyweight, a new door has been opened for contending sharks at 185 and Dana White says Adesanya has been in constant contact asking for his next opponent.

Israel Adesanya heaps praise on himself after UFC 287 win: ‘I am the coldest motherf*cker in this game’

Off the back of his undisputed UFC middleweight championship victory over Alex Pereira earlier this month, Israel Adesanya has touted himself as the “coldest motherf*cker” in mixed martial arts today – heaping praise on himself following his knockout success. Adesanya, now a two-time undisputed middleweight champion under the banner of the promotion, headlined UFC 287 […]

Adesanya, now a two-time undisputed middleweight champion under the banner of the promotion, headlined UFC 287 earlier this month in a championship re-run with arch-rival and four-time career foe, Pereira.

Landing his first professional victory against the Sao Paulo native, Israel Adesanya managed to rally with a second round KO of his own over the Brazilian, sending him crashing to the canvas as the City Kickboxing staple reclaimed his throne.

In November of last year, the Nigerian-Kiwi headlined a UFC 281 pay-per-view event at Madison Square Garden against Pereira, seeing his middleweight title reign come to an end in a fifth round standing TKO loss to the latter.

Heralding himself as the GOAT earlier this week following his win over the Brazilian, Adesanya has lauded himself further following his championship reclamation.

“I am thee (sic) coldest motherf*cka (sic) in this game! #Subzero #FinishHim #Fatality #MortalKombat #Elsa.” Israel Adesanya tweeted.

Israel Adesanya eyes a summer Octagon comeback

Linked with a summer return to the Octagon off the back of his knockout win this month, Adesanya was initially floated to fight light heavyweight champion, Jamahal Hill by his head coach, Eugene Bareman – however, the potential superfight has been firmly shot down and branded as “stupid”.

The City Kickboxing striker has also received some notable criticizm earlier this week, after footage emerged of him taking a stance in defense of controversial social commenter and influencer, Andrew Tate – claiming the world is currently attempting to emasculate males.

In terms of a comeback to the Octagon later this year, Adesanya has been linked with a title defense against South African contender, Dricus du Plessis.

Israel Adesanya labels himself the GOAT in late night Twitter post following UFC championship win

Off the back of his victory over Alex Pereira at UFC 287 earlier this month, now two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has received plaudits aplenty, including praise as the greatest 185lbs fighter in the history of the sport. Adesanya, who headlined UFC 287 earlier this month in a championship rematch against Sao Paulo native, […]

Adesanya, who headlined UFC 287 earlier this month in a championship rematch against Sao Paulo native, Pereira, managed to reclaim the undisputed middleweight crown with a devastating second round KO win over the Brazilian.

Reclaiming the undisputed middleweight title in the process, Israel Adesanya had first struck undisputed spoils in a title unification clash with Robert Whittaker in Melbourne, Australia back in 2019.

Going on to land impressive title defenses over Yoel Romero, Paulo Costa, Marvin Vettori, Robert Whittaker, and Jared Cannonier – Adesanya would then drop his first undisputed crown to Pereira in a rallying fifth round TKO loss in November of last year.

Israel Adesanya receives massive praise following UFC 287 win

And off the back of his title redemption against his arch-rival, Adesanya was lauded as the greatest middleweight fighter to ever compete – eclipsing Anderson Silva as per UFC play-by-play lead, Jon Anik.

“In my humble opinion, [the UFC 287 win] cements Israel Adesanya as the greatest [middleweight] of all time,” Anik said. “There are people who can still argue Anderson Silva is the greatest middleweight champion of all time, and in terms of the title defenses, that is okay.”

“But, I sit here in 2023, and not just argue for Adesanya’s case as one of the best pound-for-pound guys right now,” Anik explained. “I think he’s the greatest middleweight champion of all time on his strength of schedule, and based on this win.”

Heralding himself off the back of his UFC 287 title triumph, Adesanya posted a video of a cooked goat’s head – with the caption, “You are what you eat…”

Expected to make his next Octagon return before the close of this summer, Adesanya has been linked with a slew of fights, including a light heavyweight title excursion against Jamahal Hill – as well as a middleweight title defense grudge match against the surging, Dricus du Plessis.

Robert Whittaker mocks Israel Adesanya for his UFC 287 celebration: ‘You don’t get revenge on a 5 year old’

Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has said that he does not find Israel Adesanya’s revenge on Alex Pereira’s son amusing. Following ‘The Last Stylebender’s’ stunning finish over Pereira at UFC 287, Adesanya broke out a frenzy of celebrations, including a mock replica which dates all the way back to his kickboxing match with Pereira. Whittaker, […]

Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has said that he does not find Israel Adesanya’s revenge on Alex Pereira’s son amusing.

Following ‘The Last Stylebender’s’ stunning finish over Pereira at UFC 287, Adesanya broke out a frenzy of celebrations, including a mock replica which dates all the way back to his kickboxing match with Pereira.

Whittaker, who has shared the octagon with Adesanya twice before, may not have ever lashed out at the current champion, but they certainly don’t see eye-to-eye.

Robert Whittaker questions Israel Adesanya motives in UFC 287 celebration

During an interview with Submission Radio, Robert Whittaker spoke out against the celebration and said that it does not transcend the definition of revenge in this case.

“Mate you don’t get revenge on a five-year-old,” Robert Whittaker told Submission Radio. Any kid that has slighted me in the world, what am I doing? Writing [their names] in my book and then getting them back in 10 years’ time. Dude, Israel has a little black book of anybody that crosses him, he puts their name down.”

Looking back at their first meeting in a record-breaking attendance at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Adesanya made sure to add Whittaker’s name to his book.

Adesanya has received a mixed result of opinions regarding his celebration, with many classifying it as savage and others describing it as petty and unnecessary.

Although in a typical Adesanya fashion, he will not be concerned with what anyone thinks of him, and he certainly had an abundance of emotions he was ready to release after finally defeating his old foe.

As for Whittaker, he may have come up short against the champion twice before, but with Adesanya already defeating many of the contenders at 185, Robert Whittaker may soon be given a final opportunity.

‘The Reaper’ said that he came to the realization following UFC 287 that the only man he would like to forcefully take back the belt from is Adesanya.

“My key feeling for the fight, when Izzy won, was happy. I was happy, man. Because, I didn’t realize it until it almost didn’t happen, that I want to fight Israel. I want to take that belt back from Israel, not Pereira. Everyone was saying, ‘Pereira is a better fight for Rob. Can’t wait to see Rob fight Pereira. Pereira beats Izzy [then] Rob beats Pereira.’ Fresh blood is fresh blood… but now after seeing that it was almost a thing, I could’ve been fighting Pereira next, I realized that I want to fight Adesanya. I want to get the belt back from Adesanya.”

Israel Adesanya chomping at the bit for summer UFC return: ‘He’s blowing my phone up’

Recently minted undisputed UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya is reportedly keen on a return to the Octagon before the conclusion of this summer, with promotional president, Dana White claiming the middleweight kingpin has continually blew up his phone since UFC 287. Adesanya, the current undisputed middleweight champion, headlined UFC 287 last weekend in Miami, Florida […]

Adesanya, the current undisputed middleweight champion, headlined UFC 287 last weekend in Miami, Florida – defeating then-champion, Alex Pereira with a stunning, second round KO in the pair’s championship rematch.

In the immediate aftermath of his championship victory against Sao Paulo rival, Pereira, Israel Adesanya head coach and City Kickboxing tactician, Eugene Bareman confirmed that the team where available to return to active competition as soon as June.

“What it does is it provides weird opportunities,” Eugene Bareman said. “Because, as you know, the sport must move on, the division must move on, we have to fight someone. So it will provide some weird opportunity for someone that people are least expecting to get a title shot, to get a title shot.”

“That’s where these guys who haven’t fought Israel (Adesanya), there’s an opportunity there if they jump on it. And how you jump on it is you win the fights that you need to win,” Bareman explained. “But there’s also other means, you know? Like you create a bit of a storm, in the social media and in the media. There’s an opportunity there for someone to grab, they just have to do it. We wanna fight straight away. We’ll fight in eight weeks. There’s an opportunity there, someone needs to grab it.”

Israel Adesanya calling for summer Octagon comeback

And following UFC Kansas City last night in Missouri, UFC leader, White confirmed that Adesanya was calling for a return to competition continually since his championship reclamation against Pereira earlier this month.

“(Dana) White says that Israel Adesanya may fight again before the end of the summer and that he has been hitting up matchmakers already about his next fight,” TSN reporter, Aaron Bronsteter tweeted.

White says that Israel Adesanya may fight again before the end of the summer and that he has been hitting up the matchmakers already about his next fight.

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) April 16, 2023

In terms of opponents available to Adesanya, the surging promotional-perfect contender, Dricus du Plessis appears to have caught the attention from the Nigerian-Kiwi in the week since his devastating title rematch knockout win over Pereira.

Gilbert Burns eager to land fight with UFC rival Colby Covington: ‘He’s talking sh*t about Brazil’

Off the back of his impressive unanimous decision victory over common-foe, Jorge Masvidal last weekend at UFC 287, one-time title challenger, Gilbert Burns has called for a future fight with former interim champion, Colby Covington – potentially with spoils of some form on the line. Burns, the current #5 ranked welterweight contender, most recently co-headlined […]

Burns, the current #5 ranked welterweight contender, most recently co-headlined UFC 287 last weekend in Miami, Florida – defeating two-time title challenger, Masvidal in a one-sided unanimous decision triumph.

As for Covington, the current #2 rated challenger, has been sidelined since UFC 272 back in March of last year, also handing veteran fan-favorite, Masvidal a unanimous decision loss in the pair’s long-awaited headlining grudge match.

Yet to return to active competition since then, the Clovis native appears poised to share the Octagon with undisputed welterweight champion, Leon Edwards next, however, the Birmingham native has scoffed at an offer to fight the former as soon as an earmarked UFC 291 pay-per-view event in July.

Gilbert Burns clamors for fight against Colby Covington next

Weighing up his next route to a title challenge, Burns has floated a potential fight with the former interim gold holder, Covington next.

“Colby’s (Covington) going to be fun the whole way – press conference, face-off, the buildup to the fight,” Gilbert Burns told MMA Junkie. “You know, he’s talking sh*t about Brazil, the whole thing. I just like the whole idea. That’s what it’s going to be, a great fight. And I’m looking forward to this fight.”

“Colby, for me, is the hardest fight, but it’s the perfect fight,” Gilbert Burns explained. “It’s the fight that I’ve wanted for so long. I’ve studied him many times. And, yeah, I would love to face Colby. I like both fights [Covington and Leon Edwards]. I’d live to fight Leon too, but the favorite one – but not just me, but as a fan watching, is me versus Colby. [It] would be a crazy fight.”