Whittaker Responds to White: “I Never Said I Don’t Want to Fight Izzy”

Dana White has confirmed the promotion’s moving ahead with plans for an Israel Adesanya – Jan Blachowicz bout, since according to the UFC President, Robert Whittaker isn’t down to rematch the middleweight champ. But, according to Whittaker, White has taken the wrong “twist” with what he actually said.

Whittaker says White took his comments the wrong way

After Adesanya put away Paulo Costa at UFC 253 in September, he said he planned to fight Jared Cannonier next, if the latter beat Whittaker. The former champ, however, spoiled those plans by scoring a decision win over Cannonier at UFC 254.

Following that win, Whittaker was asked if he was interested in fighting Adesanya next, who ended his reign as champ last October. The Australian star made it clear he wants to fight Adesanya again, but he also said he plans to enjoy the Holidays and that he was fine if the middleweight champ took another fight (like fighting at light heavyweight).

Well, while confirming plans for Adesanya – Blachowicz, White said this (quote via MMA Junkie).

“I was like, ‘I’m going to have to sit down with this kid (Adesanya) and convince him on why he needs to fight Whittaker,’” White said.

“Whittaker comes out and says he doesn’t want to fight him – craziest (expletive) I’ve ever seen. …

I thought Whittaker deserved the shot and Whittaker doesn’t want it, so yeah, we’ll let (Adesanya move up.”

Well, White’s take on Whittaker’s comments surprised ‘Bobby Knuckles’. While talking to MMA Junkie since then, the 29-year-old said this.

“I certainly think he took a little twist to what I said,” Whittaker said. “I never said I don’t want to fight Izzy.

That’s not something I said. I did not say that. I’m looking to fight March, April next year.

I would like to fight Izzy. If Izzy’s moving up to fight Jan, then I’ll move up and fight him there if he gets the win.

I want that fight. I do want that fight. We just had to work it into that timeline.

“I have no control on what the UFC’s going to do or what Izzy’s going to do, but whether he’s here at middleweight or up at light heavyweight, I’ll take the fight him.”

Reaction?

It’s worth noting that others were also surprised by White’s comments and prompted some speculation as to whether he was referring to different statements from Whittaker. It seemed pretty clear, based off what Whittaker said at the post-fight presser, he wants to fight Adesanya at some point.

It could be, however, that because Whittaker didn’t outright call for a bout with Adesanya next, White took that as him not being interested in facing the champ.

At the end of the day, even the biggest Whittaker fans would conceded that right now, Adesanya – Blachowicz is a much, much bigger fight.