Robert Whittaker has disclosed how Israel Adesanya’s second-round-knockout victory over Alex Pereira disrupted the UFC’s plans moving forward.
The former middleweight champion disclosed that the UFC’s perfect sequence of bouts would have involved Pereira triumphing over Adesanya and then relinquishing the title to him.
Subsequently, the UFC would have arranged a third match between Whittaker and Adesanya for the uncontested championship title.
After all, Adesanya had ruled the division, achieving significant victories against Paulo Costa, Whittaker, Marvin Vettori and Yoel Romero.
With that being said, this is what Whittaker had to say: “I’m in a tricky position, I know this, especially with Izzy winning that fight.
“I know the path that the UFC had was for Pereira to win, me to fight Pereira, beat Pereira, Izzy to fight me okay. That’s the rematch they wanted, that’s how they wanted it to happen, I’m pretty sure, okay.”
The social media response, however, was rather mixed towards the idea of Whittaker facing Adesanya.
Social Media Response
Not happening.
— Geralt (@Geralt31065966) April 13, 2023
I mean if Izzy could be Pereira on his 4th attempt, there's no reason why we shouldn't give Whittaker a 3rd shot.
— . (@Yankees_Heat_) April 13, 2023
I love ya Bobby, but you're levels below
— sam (@AusgSam) April 13, 2023