Tensions Are Ratcheting up Between Israel Adesanya & Robert Whittaker

There was already plenty to like regarding the planned bout between Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya, from a style and stakes perspective. But, if you like your MMA with a healthy dose of grudges, well, it’s starting to look like that’s going to be the case with Whittaker vs. Adesanya too.

Adesanya advanced to a bout with the reigning champ this past April, by earning a decision win over Kelvin Gastelum. Although no official date has been announced yet for Whittaker – Adesanya, the expectation is that they’ll fight in the fall, and in Australia.

Well, after that bout, Whittaker let it be known that he saw holes in the rising star’s game. In addition, Whittaker argued that Adesanya doesn’t like to get hit, and that “The Last Stylebender” gets hit a lot. The champ also warned that he hits harder and faster than Gastelum.

More recently, Adesanya was a guest on “Submission Radio“, and the interim champ had this to say about Whittaker and social media posts he’s apparently made (quotes via MMA Fighting):

“Robert can say whatever he wants to say – he’s this, he’s that, I’m faster, I can make it a little quicker. I’m like, alright, ok, sure. We’re gonna fight. The fight’s already sold, I don’t have to say anything. He even started making memes. I’m like, who the f*ck taught you how to make memes? Who the f*ck told you how to make memes? Like, keep that same energy and don’t try and change what got you to the dance. Like, you’re trying to clown me? Do you want to get meme’d? N*gga, I’m the meme majesty. I will bury him if I have to. I already made him look like a f*cking chocolate bar. That’s the only Whittaker that’s New Zealand-owned and made. That’s that chocolate – with it’s roots from Africa, by the way, that dark coco.

“…I’m going to put a wager out there and see if he makes it to the fight,” Adesanya said. “Cause for me, I’m keeping that same energy with the way I train. If he is… is he gonna make it to the fight? So, I’m prepared for him, but I don’t know if he’s gonna make it to the fight. That’s just history.”

“They should put a wager on ‘will Robert make it to this fight? Will he pull out of this fight?’ and put odds on that based on all his other fights. That should be a new wager that gets added to the odds.”

So, there you have it. Obviously tensions are starting to rise, and that’s probably a very good thing, in terms of bring more attention to the fight. Since we’re still a few months out before the bout likely takes place, it’s going to be really interesting to see where things go from here.

Whittaker hasn’t fought now since last June, when he recorded a split decision victory over Yoel Romero.