Robert Whittaker believes a third place fight with Israel Adesanya is inevitable, despite being held to a 0-2 draw by the UFC middleweight champion.
Whittaker made a brave effort at UFC 271took it to “The Last Stylebender” for a full five rounds, but ultimately failed to pass unanimous decision.
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The 31-year-old was knocked out in the first round, but was able to knock out the champion multiple times throughout the match, leading many to believe he may have done enough.
The umpires 48-47 48-47 49-46 favor Adesanya, who is currently improving his professional career record to 22-1, and is likely to disqualify Jared Cannonier later this year after he beat Derek Brunson earlier in the event.
After a much-improved performance following the loss in 2019, Whittaker admitted that he thought he had done enough to win and reclaim the title.
“This is better than the first one,” he said, “I think I’ve done enough – break it, I thought I lost the first round but I pulled it back and I think I beat you. We punched each other, I was knocked down. . That’s what it is, that’s the way it works in the office.
“I’m going to go back and evolve more, get better and refine the things that I’m doing and come back a better man. Honestly, Izzy is the biggest obstacle and also the biggest hurdle. my best – he beat me to good fashion the first time. I worked and worked hard to grow and get better.
“I’m sorry I don’t have a new shiny belt – but I’m pleased I gave myself a good review. I don’t want to go on saying I won, but I think I’ve done enough and for how I feel I’m satisfied… I’m so excited for the future, the ceiling is nowhere to be seen – yes no ceiling for me i don’t believe. “
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Since his 2019 bout at UFC 243, Whittaker has racked up wins over the likes of Darren Till, Jared Cannonier and Kelvin Gastelum, and will need to return to a similar path to achieve another crack in the belt. .
Although the road back to the title fight with Adesanya seems difficult, the Australian star is confident and believes a third matchup between the pair is inevitable.
“A third fight between me and Izzy is inevitable,” Whittaker said, “I will crush everyone who comes in front of me again, which is why he said I would meet him.” friends in the future. I don’t see him losing the title anytime soon, he’s great – but I think I’m the one who beat him. My mission remains the same – defeat the next guy in front of me. I’m at the top, but I want to be higher. “
Adesanya also spoke to the press after the battle and was asked about the possibility of a third fight between the pair. While the New Zealand-born forward doesn’t rule it out entirely, he does admit that he wants to see some new challenges in the middleweight division.
“I’m just saying I don’t like you, you don’t like me, but I respect you,” Adesanya declared. “He said the same thing and he said in another life we’ll be friends, and I said maybe. We’re just two guys trying to be the best in the world, but tonight I’m the one. the best man.”
“I said maybe (third fight) – I said you get some good wins and I’m sure I’ll see you in the straight. I said it to pat him on the ass and say good job kid, but we’ll see.
Adesanya is currently focused on returning in June. The competitors currently standing in his way are Cannonier and Sean Strickland. For now, a battle in the Whittaker trilogy will be something that’s always on his mind.
“The division is overrun with killers, but I’m expecting fresh meat.”
