Israel Adesanya completely satisfied to see Robert Whittaker again in UFC win column

Israel Adesanya praises fellow former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker for bouncing again.

Adesanya (24-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) dethroned Whittaker (26-7 MMA, 17-5 UFC) to turn into 185-pound champion at UFC 243. He beat him a second time of their title-fight rematch at UFC 271.

Each fighters are on a quest to regain gold. Adesanya returns Aug. 17 at UFC 305 to problem middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis in the principle occasion in Perth, Australia. In the meantime, Whittaker is sitting on a two-fight successful streak after getting his hand raised towards Paulo Costa and most lately Ikram Aliskerov.

“I used to be preventing the native hero, Rob Whittaker, who simply really had an awesome win per week or two weeks in the past, however I used to be preventing him right here and defending my belt for the primary time on enemy territory,” Adesanya stated in an interview with “TODAY.” “I stated, ‘You already know what? I’m going to make it a present.’ And I did.

“It (Whittaker’s knockout of Aliskerov) was lovely. Robbie’s that man. We fought twice. We at all times have historical past, but it surely was good to see him again within the win column, and he’s coming for me, so I’ve obtained to remain prepared.”

Similar to Adesanya is paying his respect to Whittaker, he expects Du Plessis (21-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) to do the identical. An enormous narrative main into UFC 305 is how Du Plessis identifies as the primary true African UFC champion – one thing Adesanya took umbrage with.

“For me, it’s important to honor the blokes who got here earlier than you,” Adesanya stated. “He’s the man saying, ‘I’m the true African champion,’ however look, you wouldn’t have been capable of do what you’re doing at dwelling in South Africa if myself, Francis Ngannou and Kamaru (Usman) didn’t pave the way in which for you. So it’s important to respect your elders, and I’ll be certain that I do this to him.”