Robert Whittaker says he wanted to rematch middleweight champion Israel Adesanya next, but that the June date proposed “was impossible” for him to make.
The UFC announced this weekend that Adesanya will defend his belt against Marvin Vettori at UFC 263 on June 12, a decision that surprised many given former title-holder Whittaker was expected to form his next opponent.
Whittaker, 30, has won all three of his bouts since losing the middleweight crown to Adesanya in October 2019, defeating Darren Till, Jared Cannonier – both those fell during the Fight Island series in Abu Dhabi – and Kelvin Gastelum. The most recent victory, a dominant decision win in Las Vegas, took place less than two weeks ago.
However, Whittaker told ESPN that the UFC put forward the Adesanya rematch almost immediately afterwards, meaning it was way too short a turnaround for the Australia-native to accept.
"More or less, I was offered the fight about an hour after my fight with Gastelum," Whittaker said. "There was just no way, physically, I could do that. Not only do I have injuries from that last fight to deal with, I have to fly home to Australia, and then two weeks in [mandatory] isolation. I have to see how my body was feeling, and then I'd have to prepare ... all by June. It was impossible."
Whittaker, whose professional record stands at 23-5, counts the initial bout with Adesanya as his only defeat in his past 13 UFC appearances. UFC president Dana White has already said the New Zealand-born Australian will take on the winner of Adesanya-Vettori.
"I can see what Izzy is trying to do," Whittaker said. "He's trying to get me to accept the fight injured, on short notice, with all odds against me, but there was just no way I could get there physically.
“I do want that fight, and my next fight will be for the title. It has to be. He was just really adamant about fighting on that date and I can't do it. I'm happy to fight the winner after."
Adesanya and Vettori have fought once before, more than three years ago, when the current champion won by split decision. Then only his second fight in the UFC, Adesanya remains undefeated in all nine outings at middleweight in the promotion. He suffered his first pro mixed martial arts loss last month, when he moved up to light heavyweight to take on champion Jan Blachowicz. Adesanya's MMA record reads 20-1. Vettori, meanwhile, is 17-4. He has won all five of his fights since losing to Adesanya.
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Israel Adesanya of Nigeria punches Jan Blachowicz of Poland in their light heavyweight championship fight at UFC 259 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Zuffa LLC / Getty Images -
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Dominick Cruz punches Casey Kenney in their bantamweight fight during UFC 259 even. USA TODAY Sports -
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Asked who he thinks will win on June 12, Whittaker said: "It's hard to say, isn't it? Their first fight in 2018 was pretty close. I think Izzy is really good. I could see Izzy taking that fight. But Vettori is tough as nails and he seems to take high-level opponents to a place where they are uncomfortable because of his resilience and toughness. Plus, he has a good skill set.
“I think Vettori will know what to expect from Adesanya this time, because he knows the level of striking he brings. In saying that, however, I do think Adesanya has gotten better since the last time they fought. So, I guess I'm on the fence.
"I don't care who wins. Whatever. I hope they beat the hell out of each other to be honest."
