Robert Whittaker Says Israel Adesanya Rematch Wasn’t Offered

The UFC is planning to have Israel Adesanya fight the new light heavyweight champ, Jan Blachowicz next. But, Robert Whittaker is making sure fans know that he wants to battle the middleweight champ.

In fact, according to Whittaker, there’s no question that he deserves a rematch with ‘The Last Stylebender’.

Whittaker says there was “no discussion” about Adesanya rematch

After Adesanya defeated Paulo Costa at UFC 253 in September, he said he wanted to defend the middleweight crown against Jared Cannonier next. Provided Cannonier got by Whittaker at UFC 254 last month.

Well, Whittaker punted that plan by outscoring Cannonier for the decision win. Following the pivotal win, Whittaker said he wanted to take some time off and enjoy the Holidays. 

He also said he had no issue if Adesanya decided to take a fight at 205 pounds. But, the former champ made it clear that he really wants to rematch at some juncture.

UFC President Dana White, however, proceeded to say that the UFC was working on Adesanya – Blachowicz, since according to him, Whittaker wasn’t interested in the rematch. Whittaker denied that’s the case, and while appearing on ‘What the Heck‘ recently, he said this (quotes via MMA Fighting).

“That fight was never offered to me,” Whittaker said. “There wasn’t even talks up in the air. There was no correspondence at all and I guess that’s the most confusing factor and the most annoying part about the whole mess.

There was no discussion. There was no communication. There was no dialogue. That’s annoying.

“He twisted my words around. I think because he had his own designs and the UFC—When I say ‘he’ I mean him and the UFC as an organization, I understand that Dana White doesn’t personally want to do things.

Or maybe he does, who knows?—but I think they wanted [Adesanya vs. Blachowicz]. That’s a money fight for them.

That’s a fight they wanted to push and that’s the only reason I can see that.”

And while talking about his next bout, Whittaker repeated his wish to face Adesanya again.

“The title fight is my right after beating Jared because that’s the type of fight it was is a contender fight. That’s the fight I earned.

But I have to be there for my family and my kids and the newest member that’s going to be joining my family in January. That’s my highest priority right now is getting my timeline out there and then work around that.”

Did the UFC want the super-fight all along?

Few would argue that right now, Adesanya – Blachowicz is a bigger fight than Adesanya – Whittaker 2. ‘The Last Stylebender’ stopped Whittaker last year, and of course, having Adesanya pursue champ-champ status is huge.

It is possible that Whittaker’s post-UFC 254 comments about his plans were misunderstood. Or, that the fact he didn’t go out of his way and demand a rematch with Adesanya, didn’t sit well with UFC brass.

Now it will be interesting to see if the UFC calls on Whittaker to fight someone else in the interim.