Robert Whittaker wanted to fight Israel Adesanya at UFC 263 but says June was 'impossible'
Marvin Vettori’s title shot against UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya took many by surprise.
Former champ Robert Whittaker, who cemented himself as the No. 1 contender by defeating Kelvin Gastelum earlier this month at UFC on ESPN 22, revealed that the UFC offered him the title fight rematch with Adesanya just an hour after he won.
Since losing his title to Adesanya in October 2019, Whittaker has beaten top contenders Darren Till, Jared Cannonier and Gastelum consecutively to earn his shot, but he wasn’t ready to make such a quick turnaround.
“More or less, I was offered the fight about an hour after my fight with Gastelum,” Whittaker told ESPN on Sunday. “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.”
Instead, Adesanya (20-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) will rematch Vettori (17-4-1 MMA, 7-2-1 UFC) in the main event of UFC 263 on June 12. UFC president Dana White confirmed that Whittaker (23-5 MMA, 14-3 UFC) will face the winner, and the former champion has no problem waiting his turn.
“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.”
Vettori also has rebounded emphatically from his loss to Adesanya. “The Italian Dream” was edged out by Adesanya in a split decision loss in 2018 and has since won five in a row. Whittaker acknowledges Vettori’s skillset and expects the fight to be close, despite Adesanya’s surge as champ.
“It’s hard to say, isn’t it?” Whittaker said. “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.”
He continued, “I don’t care who wins. Whatever. I hope they beat the hell out of each other to be honest.”