Robert Whittaker News
Manimal! Israel Adesanya is absolutely shredded for UFC 271 (Photo)
Christopher Taylor - February 8, 2022
Israel Adesanya appears to be in the best shape of his career ahead of Saturday’s main event rematch with Robert Whittaker at UFC 271. Adesanya (21-1 MMA) will be taking on Whittaker (24-5 MMA) in the much anticipated headliner at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas this Saturday.
Robert Whittaker believes "no one expects me to win" but says Israel Adesanya "looks beatable" ahead of UFC 271
Cole Shelton - February 8, 2022
Robert Whittaker says the pressure is off him for his UFC 271 main event title rematch against Israel Adesanya. Whittaker and Adesanya are set to run it back after “The Last Stylebender” scored a second-round TKO win back in 2019 to become the new champ. Since then, Whittaker has won three fights to earn the rematch and for him, he’s glad he had the chance to fight multiple times before running it back with Adesanya.
Israel Adesanya plans to unveil “new weapons” in UFC 271 rematch with Robert Whittaker: “I'm not even lying. He's f*cked”
Susan Cox - February 8, 2022
With UFC 271 only days away, Israel Adesanya plans to unveil ‘new weapons’ in his rematch with Robert Whittaker. Adesanya (21-1 MMA) will be taking on Whittaker (24-5 MMA) in the much anticipated headliner at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas on Saturday, February 12th.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 66 with Robert Whittaker, Renato Moicano, Roxanne Modafferi, Kyler Phillips, and Jared Vanderaa
Cole Shelton - February 8, 2022
The 66th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC 271. We’re first joined by one-half of the main event in the top-ranked middleweight contender and former middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker (2:53). UFC lightweight, Renato Moicano (15:35) then stops by. 12th-ranked women’s flyweight, Roxanne Modafferi (28:06) joins the show. UFC bantamweight, Kyler Phillips (38:30) then comes on. Closing out the show is UFC heavyweight, Jared Vanderaa (49:28).
Israel Adesanya says he's "going to f*ck Whittaker up, again" at UFC 271: "It’s another easy bag"
Cole Shelton - February 1, 2022
Israel Adesanya believes his rematch against Robert Whittaker is another easy paycheck. Adesanya is looking to defend his middleweight title for the fourth time as he rematches Whittaker in the main event of UFC 271 in a very intriguing matchup. The first time they fought, Adesanya scored a second-round TKO to become the new champ and he expects the rematch to be just as easy.
Robert Whittaker is relishing his underdog status ahead of UFC 271 rematch with Israel Adesanya: “It definitely takes some of the pressure off”
Harry Kettle - January 27, 2022
Robert Whittaker has admitted that he enjoys being the underdog heading into his UFC 271 rematch against Israel Adesanya. After more than two years of waiting, Robert Whittaker will finally get the chance for revenge when he challenges Israel Adesanya next month for the UFC middleweight championship. In their initial bout, at UFC 243, many fans and pundits couldn’t decide who was going to come out on top – but “The Last Stylebender” definitely seems to have the advantage with the bookmakers after how dominant he was in their first meeting.
Official main card announced for UFC 271, Derrick Lewis vs Tai Tuivasa serves as co-headliner
Harry Kettle - January 24, 2022
The Ultimate Fighting Championship has announced the main card for UFC 271 with Derrick Lewis vs Tai Tuivasa serving as the co-main event. Next month in Houston, the UFC will put on their second pay-per-view of the year with the headline attraction being Israel Adesanya vs Robert Whittaker 2 for the UFC middleweight title. However, despite that being an incredible main event, it’s worth noting that there are plenty of other intriguing contests set to go down at the Toyota Center.
Robert Whittaker would “love” to get Israel Adesanya “on his back” in UFC 271 rematch
Susan Cox - January 11, 2022
UFC 271 features a middleweight title fight rematch between Robert Whittaker (23-5 MMA) and Israel Adesanya (21-1 MMA) and goes down February 12th at the Toyota Center in Houston. Losing his title to Adesanya back in October 2019 at UFC 243 in Melbourne, Australia, Whittaker is aiming to reclaim his belt and recently spoke to ‘MMA Junkie‘ about what went wrong with his first fight:
Israel Adesanya sends a warning to Robert Whittaker ahead of UFC 271 rematch: “This will be worse than the first time”
Susan Cox - December 30, 2021
Israel Adesanya has sent a warning to Robert Whittaker ahead of their highly anticipated rematch at UFC 271. Adesanya (21-1 MMA) and Whittaker (23-5 MMA) are set to clash for the second time on February 12th in Houston with the promotions coveted middleweight title up for grabs.
Dana White explodes after Israel Adesanya implies his rematch with Robert Whittaker at UFC 271 is not a done deal
Harry Kettle - December 14, 2021
UFC president Dana White has reacted angrily to Israel Adesanya’s implication that his rematch with Robert Whittaker isn’t a done deal. Dana White has often been involved in verbal spats with fighters and, most of the time, the exchanges take place indirectly. This serves as yet another example of that with Israel Adesanya using a “cap” symbol to indicate he believes Dana White and the UFC are lying about his Robert Whittaker rematch being signed, sealed and delivered. The pair are currently set to clash at UFC 271 but Adesanya seems to disagree with the current state of play.
Israel Adesanya vs Robert Whittaker 2 reportedly in jeopardy for UFC 271: "They're panicking"
Susan Cox - December 1, 2021
A highly anticipated rematch between Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker is apparently in jeopardy for UFC 271. Adesanya (21-1 MMA) and Whittaker (23-5 MMA) had originally squared off for the promotions undisputed middleweight title in October of 2019, with ‘Stylebender’ emerging victorious by way of a second round knockout.
Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane, Israel Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker 2 targeted for UFC 270
Adam D Martin - October 6, 2021
Two title fights featuring Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane and Israel Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker 2 are being targeted for UFC 270. According to the French outlet “La Sueur,” UFC 270 is being planned to take place on January 22 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight is not official yet, but the UFC plans on having the UFC heavyweight title unified that night between the champ Ngannou and the interim champ Gane. As for the co-main event, the plan is to have to rematch between Adesanya and Whittaker. Overall, with these two title fights at the top of the bill, UFC 270 is shaping up to be a stacked card already. MMA journalist Aaron Bronsteter added the following:
Israel Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker 2 reportedly pushed back until 2022
Chris Taylor - August 14, 2021
The highly anticipated UFC middleweight title fight rematch between Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker has reportedly been pushed back until 2022. Dana White and company were originally looking to book Adesanya vs. Whittaker 2 for the main event of UFC 268 on November 6 at Madision Square Garden in New York. However, the States new pandemic-related restrictions have forced the promotion to make a change of plans.
Robert Whittaker admits trash talk from "sh*thead" Israel Adesanya got in his head: "It did, because the last fight I was kind of very emotional”
Chris Taylor - July 3, 2021
Robert Whittaker admits that he let his emotions get the best of him in his first fight with Israel Adesanya at UFC 243. Whittaker (23-5 MMA) and Adesanya (21-1 MMA) squared off for the promotions undisputed middleweight title in October of 2019, with ‘Stylebender’ emerging victorious by way of second round knockout.
Robert Whittaker dubs Israel Adesanya’s UFC 263 performance as average, ‘Stylebender’ responds
Adam D Martin - June 21, 2021
Robert Whittaker dubbed UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya’s UFC 263 performance as average, and “The Last Stylebender” responded. Adesanya defeated rival Marvin Vettori in the pair’s rematch as last weekend’s UFC 263 pay-per-view event in Glendale, Arizona. Adesanya was able to utilize his superior striking and showed improvements in his grappling as he was able to win a unanimous decision over the Italian. Vettori, of course, only got the title shot against Adesanya after Whittaker was forced to decline it due to the fight’s close proximity to his matchup against Kelvin Gastelum in April. With Whittaker unable to take the fight at that time, Vettori stepped up and got the title shot instead, only Adesanya was able to go in there and win handily.
Kelvin Gastelum says Robert Whittaker has "real chance at regaining that middleweight title" from Israel Adesanya
Adam D Martin - June 17, 2021
UFC middleweight Kelvin Gastelum says Robert Whittaker has a “real chance at regaining that middleweight title” from champ Israel Adesanya. Gastelum has fought both Whittaker and Adesanya so he knows exactly what both men bring to the table. In the wake of Adesanya’s win over Marvin Vettori at UFC 263, which improved his record as a UFC middleweight to a perfect 10-0, the next fight to make for the 185lbs title seems to be Adesanya against Whittaker. And if you ask Gastelum what he thinks about that potential title fight, he thinks there’s a good chance the champ loses.
Robert Whittaker criticized by Eugene Bareman for turning down title shot against Israel Adesanya
Adam D Martin - May 3, 2021
UFC middleweight contender Robert Whittaker was criticized by coach Eugene Bareman for turning down a title shot against Israel Adesanya. After defeating Kelvin Gastelum in lopsided fashion at UFC Vegas 24, it was fully expected that Whittaker would get the next title shot against Adesanya. However, the promotion announced that it will be Marvin Vettori who next takes on Adesanya at UFC 263 on June 12. Whittaker later explained the reasons that he was unable to go so soon because he’s banged up, and the UFC decided to go with Vettori. But for Bareman, it was a bad call.
Robert Whittaker reveals he fought Kelvin Gastelum with torn ligaments in his hand
Cole Shelton - April 29, 2021
Robert Whittaker put on a dominant performance over Kelvin Gastelum on April 17 and did so while fighting with an injury. Whittaker was supposed to face Paulo Costa on the card but the Brazilian was forced out of the bout and Gastelum stepped up on short notice. However, when Whittaker arrived in Las Vegas and began training he tore ligaments in his hand. Even though he had torn ligaments in his hand, he still earned a dominant decision over Gastelum.