Robert Whittaker put on an excellent performance earlier this month against Paulo Costa and wants to return this summer.
The former middleweight champion is eyeing another shot at his old belt. The pathway to it looks clear now that it is not Israel Adesanya holding the gold , a man Whittaker has lost twice to. Current champion Dricus Du Plessis picked up his biggest and most shocking career victory against the Australian back in July 2023. In the build up to the fight almost everyone in the MMA world picked Whittaker to win. The history and the great bounce back against Costa are evidence enough that Whittaker deserves his title shot.
Robert Whittaker Eyes August Return
Speaking on his podcast Whittaker mentioned his aims for his next fight including the opponent and the date.
“I want to reclaim my belt you know, and I would love to run it back with Dricus [Du Plessis]. Especially because he’s got the gold as well, It’s two in one right. But I do understand that Strickland is in line.” stated Whittaker
“I’m not really fussed at the opponent at the moment … I do want someone that pushes me to the gold, less than the opponent itself is the date that I am after and I want to fight in August because I heard that the UFC is potentially coming back to Australia in August.” Quotes via MMArcade podcast
The UFC have had many successful events in Australia and revisit each year so the likelihood of an event in Perth is definitely on the table. Whether it is a numbered card or huge fight night is dependent on the possible match ups. Whittaker vs Du Plessis could headline a numbered event. Whereas the Strickland fight not being a title fight would most likely top a fight night or be a co main event on a PPV. Alexander Volkanovski would be your other Australian headliner, however he could hold out until the end of the year after a devastating KO loss to Ilia Topuria.
Return of Israel Adesanya
Another factor that would determine the next opponent for Whittaker is the looming return of the UFC megastar Israel Adesanya. The former champion had teased a return in the months leading up to the UFC 300 as he was a potential headliner for the historic event. Most recently he has stated that he was offered Du Plessis at UFC 300 and the South African declined the bout. Ideally the UFC will launch MMA into the stratosphere with a huge event in Africa headlined by those two men however rumours have died down around that happening this year. With the UFC focussing on Adesanya returning to an immediate title shot it leaves Strickland without an opponent so the match up with Whittaker is ideal. Alternatively, if Adesanya takes some extended time out Whittaker could jump straight into a title shot rematch with Du Plessis.
Who else would you add to a UFC Australia card in August and would you have Robert Whittaker headline?
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
