P.Borrachinha's manager calls for a fight for the interim belt against R.Whittaker: 'It's the best fight for the middleweight division'. Photo: SUPER FIGHTS montage
With the announcement of the superfight between Jan Blachowicz x Israel adesanya, valid for the light heavyweight belt (up to 92,9 kg.), the middleweight title (up to 83,9 kg.) could momentarily go to other hands. At least that's what Wallid Ismail, a businessman Paulo borrachinha. According to him, Ultimate should promote an interim belt for the duel between the Brazilian and the former champion of the category, Robert whittaker.
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“This fight has been discussed since they announced that Adesanya would face (Jan) Blachowicz. (…), Dana White said he wants the fight (between Borrachinha and Whittaker) and that he would make it happen. Whittaker revealed that he would only fight for the belt in the next (round). We’re just waiting for Dana to book this fight,” said Wallid, in an interview with the North American website MMA Fighting.
Wallid Ismail also said that Borrachinha will win the fight and then face Adesanya for the middleweight title unification. He pointed out that the UFC 'only stands to gain' from a possible rematch.
“This is the best fight for the middleweight division. It will be first against second in the ranking. (…), Borrachinha will win and imagine how many pay-per-views (packages) (the organization) would sell in a rematch against Adesanya. It's a business. They hate each other so much, but we can't put the division on hold. That's why we have to do this for the provisional belt. It's a victory for the UFC and that's what Dana White wants. He knows that the fight between Borrachinha x Whittaker will sell well and how much it will sell for title unification”, he concluded.
Borrachinha comes from a setback against Israel adesanya, in September 2020, in UFC 253. On that occasion, the Brazilian was knocked out in the second round. On the other hand, Whittaker hit Darren till, in July, in UFC Fight Island 3. Then it was time to Jared Cannonier succumb to the strength of the Australian, in a duel valid for UFC 254.
The middleweight champion, Israel adesanya, will try to win his second belt against the Polish Jan Blachowicz, who has held the light heavyweight title since knocking out Dominick reyes, In September. The fight will be the main attraction of the UFC 259, in Las Vegas (USA), on March 6th.
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