R.Whittaker will face Kelvin Gastelum No. UFC Las Vegas 24 Photo: Instagram/ @robwhittakermma
the replacement of Paulo borrachinha by Kelvin Gastelum did not affect the preparation of Robert whittaker. The former middleweight champion (up to 83,9kg) cited the long time he still had to train and the fact that he had already studied his opponent previously as advantages for the UFC Las Vegas 24. The two athletes would face each other in 2019, but the clash was canceled due to a last-minute injury to the New Zealander.
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“Fortunately, I still had a month to prepare and I had also studied Gastelum previously. Both things weigh in my favor. I've also faced a few southpaws recently, so it's not completely unheard of for me. Obviously, Kelvin and Paulo (Borrachinha) are two very different fighters but that's how business is”, declared Robert on 'half day'.
The former champion spoke about his expectations for next Saturday's fight (17). Showing respect, the athlete praised his opponent and stated that he is prepared for all possible fight scenarios.
“I believe I can dominate him, but I'm expecting absolute war. We are both great fighters. He is a very dangerous athlete and a very tough guy. I’m prepared for the best and the worst,” he concluded.The Reaper'.
Current number two in the rankings, Whittaker has a record of 22 wins and five losses. Division champion between 2017 and 2019, the New Zealander was dethroned by Israel adesanya No. UFC 243. In his last fight, 'The Reaper' won Jared Cannonier by points, in October 2020.
After a three-fight losing streak, Gastelum returned to winning ways by defeating Ian Heinisch No. UFC 258 in February of this year. Current number eight in the middleweight rankings, Kelvin could enter the top-5, should he beat Whittaker this weekend.
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