I. Adesanya explains why he won't fight R. Whittaker again. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Dana White tried to make the rematch between Israel adesanya e Robert whittaker, but it didn't happen. According to the UFC president, the former champion didn't want to face the number one middleweight (83,9kg), but the story didn't work out like that. The Nigerian himself confessed that he was not excited about the new clash.
In an interview with the North American website MMA Junkie, Adesanya explained that Whittaker's victory over Jared Cannonier did not impress him and that, to have a new opportunity to fight for the category belt, the New Zealander should have won in a more convincing way, as, that way, he would not have been able to refuse a new confrontation. 'The Last Stylebender' went further and believes he would knock out his rival again.
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“Honestly, don’t get me wrong, but I wasn’t impressed with Whittaker’s performance against Cannonier. He did well, but I wasn't excited to face him again. If Whittaker had destroyed Cannonier, it might make me have a different view. He would show that he changed, but I didn't feel it. I think I would knock Whittaker out again,” Adesanya said.
please note that Israel adesanya admitted that he was rooting for Jared Cannonier win Robert whittaker, because he respects him and would like to have a new challenger at middleweight. As the former champion won, the current number one in the category opted to hold a superfight against Jan Blachowicz, new king of light heavyweight (93kg), in the top division, in 2021. Adesanya and Whittaker faced each other in 2019, in Australia, and the Nigerian knocked out his rival in the second round.
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