Whittaker Responds to Rockhold’s Challenge

Robert Whittaker caused quite the stir at UFC on FOX in Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday night. He defeated Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza, becoming the first to defeat him by KO or TKO in about nine years.

After the win, Whittaker said UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping owes him a fight. As several MMA analysts have commented, that’s probably not Whittaker’s next fight; however, another match with a high-ranked opponent is probable.

MMA journalist Ariel Helwani speculated that a bout with Gegard Mousasi or Luke Rockhold is probable.

Whittaker says Bisping owes him a fight. That’s obviously not in the cards. Gotta be either Mousasi or Rockhold next for him.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 16, 2017

 As the UFC on FOX event was still going on, Helwani reported that Rockhold, the former middleweight champion who hasn’t competed in the UFC since losing the title to Bisping back in June, reached out to him to say he officially challenges Whittaker.

Former middleweight champion @LukeRockhold just reached out to me to say he’s down to fight Robert Whittaker at UFC 213 on July 8.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 16, 2017

 Whittaker, in the post-fight press conference, said while it’s cool to be challenged by a former champion, he wants to see his family and enjoy the victory over Souza.

Whittaker responding to Luke Rockhold: "It’s news to me…it’s cool, but it’s too fresh…too much to process all at once." #UFCKansasCity

— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) April 16, 2017