Robert Whittaker News
Kelvin Gastelum makes pick for Robert Whittaker vs. Israel Adesanya fight
Tom Taylor - July 30, 2019
The next UFC middleweight title fight on the calendar will go down at UFC 243 on October 6, when undisputed champion Robert Whittaker will attempt to defend his title against interim champion Israel Adesanya. Kelvin Gastelum, one of the top contenders in the division, will be watching this fight very closely. Speaking to South China Morning Post recently, Gastelum weighed in on this middleweight title fight. He has fought Adesanya previously, losing a decision to “Stylebender” in April, and has also been scheduled to fight Whittaker, though the bout unfortunately never happened. Needless to say, he’s got some unique insight into the matchup.
Robert Whittaker explains why he hasn't trained with Jon Jones yet
Cole Shelton - July 29, 2019
During Israel Adesanya’s and Jon Jones’ intense trash talk, “Bones” said he would help train Robert Whittaker for his fight against “The Last Stylebender”. Yet, with the fight in October at UFC 243, Whittaker and Jones have yet to train together. According to the middleweight champion, there is a simple reason why.
Robert Whittaker questions the prevalence of trash talk in MMA
Tom Taylor - July 18, 2019
These days, it seems like the majority of UFC fighters are trash talkers. Whether it’s to build interest in a fight or get under their opponent’s skin, many fighters seem to have embraced this verbal side of the game. UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker, however, has not. Speaking on a recent episode of Submission Radio, Whittaker gave his take on all the trash talk in MMA. In his eyes, the time and energy fighters spend trash talking would be well spent elsewhere — like in the gym.
Israel Adesanya compares Robert Whittaker to a 'meth head'
Tom Taylor - July 10, 2019
Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker don’t even know where their UFC 243 middleweight title fight will occur yet, but Adesanya is already letting the trash talk fly. Speaking at the UFC Hall of Fame ceremony over the weekend, the interim champion Adesanya shared his thoughts on his first staredown with the undisputed champ Whittaker.
Michael Bisping says Robert Whittaker will make Israel Adesanya 'eat his words'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 8, 2019
Michael Bisping thinks Israel Adesanya is due for his comeuppance. UFC 243 will play host to a middleweight title unification bout. Champion Robert Whittaker will collide with interim title holder Adesanya on Oct. 5. A location for UFC 243 has not been announced.
Israel Adesanya responds to Jon Jones' offer to train with Robert Whittaker
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 6, 2019
Israel Adesanya has offered a response to Jon Jones’ offer to help train with Robert Whittaker and he didn’t have many kind things to say. Adesanya is the interim UFC middleweight champion and he’ll collide with main champion Whittaker in a title unification bout. The UFC announced that the fight will take place at UFC 243 on Oct. 5. A location has not been announced. Adesanya and Whittaker appeared at the UFC summer press conference 2019 and “The Last Stylebender” said he wasn’t amused by “The Reaper” posting memes on social media.
Jon Jones can't wait to see Robert Whittaker 'stomp a mudhole' in Israel Adesanya
Christopher Taylor - June 26, 2019
UFC light heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones will return to the octagon against dangerous knockout artist Thiago Santos at next month’s UFC 239 event. While ‘Bones’ is clearly focused on his upcoming fight with the Brazilian, it hasn’t stopped questions surrounding future fights with bitter rival Daniel Cormier and rising star Israel Adesanya from being asked. Jones, who has taken shots at both ‘DC‘ and ‘Stylebender’ in recent weeks, took the opportunity to add salt to the wound during a recent interview.
Israel Adesanya questions Robert Whittaker's status as champion
Tom Taylor - June 20, 2019
Robert Whittaker captured the UFC interim middleweight title with a July, 2017 defeat of Yoel Romero. He was then promoted to undisputed champion when Georges St-Pierre vacated the undisputed title in late 2017. Current interim champ Israel Adesanya, who fights Robert Whittaker at UFC 243 in October, believes Whittaker’s unconventional road to middleweight gold casts doubt on his status as a legitimate champion.
Kelvin Gastelum gives his prediction for Robert Whittaker vs. Israel Adesanya title fight
Cole Shelton - June 10, 2019
At UFC 234, Robert Whittaker was set to defend his middleweight title against Kelvin Gastelum. It would have been the first time that the Aussie would have defended his belt. However, on the day of the fight, the champ had to pull out of the contest due to health reasons. Fast forward to UFC 236, and in the co-main event, Gastelum was fighting for the interim title against Israel Adesanya. Ultimately, Adesanya beat Gastelum by unanimous decision in what is a front runner for the fight of the year.
Israel Adesanya takes shot at Robert Whittaker on Twitter
Natasha Hooper - May 10, 2019
Israel Adesanya has taken aim at the current middleweight champion Robert Whittaker, mocking his heritage. The Twitter image and caption posted by Adesanya mocks Whittaker ahead of their unification title bout intended for 2019. It can be assumed the post was made to promote the fight, cause a stir and put seeds of doubt in the mind of Robert Whittaker.
Report | UFC 243 set for Sydney, Australia with Robert Whittaker vs Israel Adesanya in the works
Drake Riggs - April 29, 2019
Generally, when an interim champion is crowned, we know exactly what fight will be next for them. That, of course, is none other than the undisputed champion. When “The Last Stylebender” Israel Adesanya (17-0) defeated Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 236 in a fight of the year candidate, he became the new UFC interim middleweight champion. Thus making an encounter with the undisputed champ, Robert Whittaker (20-4), inevitable.
Robert Whittaker doesn't expect Israel Adesanya fight to be a war, 'It’s gonna be short and sweet'
Drake Riggs - April 18, 2019
This past weekend’s UFC 236’s co-main event decided who will be the next challenger to undisputed middleweight king, Robert Whittaker. In the said bout, fellow ANZAC of Whittaker’s, Israel Adesanya would go on to defeat Kelvin Gastelum over the course of a five-round fight of the year candidate. Originally, Gastelum was supposed to be the one facing Whittaker back in February but due to injuries on the champion’s end, Adesanya was able to capitalize on the opportunities that were presented.
Robert Whittaker believes he could give Jon Jones 'a run for his money'
Drake Riggs - April 18, 2019
Odds: Robert Whittaker favored over new interim champion Israel Adesanya
Tom Taylor - April 16, 2019
Having won the UFC interim middleweight championship with a thrilling decision victory over Kelvin Gastelum in the co-main event of UFC 236 this past Saturday, Israel Adesanya can now look forward to a title-unifying collision with undisputed middleweight champion Robert Whittaker. This clash between New Zealand’s Adesanya and Australia’s Whittaker will likely go down in Australia late this year, per UFC President Dana White.
Robert Whittaker says Israel Adesanya got exposed in Kelvin Gastelum fight at UFC 236
Cole Shelton - April 15, 2019
Israel Adesanya became the interim middleweight champion after beating Kelvin Gastelum by unanimous decision at UFC 236. Now, the plan is for Adesanya to unify his belt with current champion, Robert Whittaker, potentially in a stadium in Australia. Although ‘The Last Stylebender’ is undefeated, Whittaker believes it is an easy matchup for him, this after seeing Adesanya get exposed against Gastelum.
Robert Whittaker shares ideal timeframe for UFC return
Tom Taylor - February 26, 2019
UFC middleweight champ Robert Whittaker was supposed to defend his title against Kelvin Gastelum in the main event of UFC 234 earlier this month, but was unfortunately forced out of the fight on the day of, and rushed to the hospital with a collapsed hernia. Whittaker now faces a tough recovery process that could keep him out of action for some time. To combat his absence, the UFC has booked an interim middleweight title fight between Israel Adesanya and Gastelum for UFC 236 on April 13.
Robert Whittaker believes he matches up better against Israel Adesanya over Kelvin Gastelum
Drake Riggs - February 25, 2019
At UFC 234 earlier this month, the UFC went back down under as they touched down in Melbourne, Australia for their first pay-per-view event of the year. In the main event, we were expecting to see a middleweight title bout between the champion, Robert Whittaker and the challenger, Kelvin Gastelum.
VIDEO | Robert Whittaker will not be bullied into compromising his health for the UFC
Chris Taylor - February 16, 2019
Robert Whittaker was expected to defend his UFC middleweight championship in the headliner of last weekend’s UFC 234 event against Kelvin Gastelum. Unfortunately for fight fans, Whittaker was removed from the card just hours before the event commenced, this after it was discovered by doctors that he was suffering from a collapsed bowel and intestinal hernia.
Robert Whittaker encourages Adesanya and Gastelum to fight Yoel Romero if they 'want something to do'
Tom Taylor - February 14, 2019
On Saturday afternoon — mere hours before his scheduled fight with Kelvin Gastelum — UFC middleweight champ Robert Whittaker was rushed to the hospital for surgery as the result of a collapsed hernia. The champ is now facing a potentially lengthy recovery. Bad news for Gastelum, who is still waiting for his title shot, and surging contender Israel Adesanya, who also deserves a shot at gold. Luckily, Robert Whittaker has a suggestion for these two contenders, should they get bored while he recovers: fight Yoel Romero.