Robert Whittaker gained’t be thrilled if Jiri Prochazka makes an eventual transfer right down to the UFC middleweight division.
Former gentle heavyweight champion Prochazka (30-4-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) just lately revealed one of many long-term profession objectives is to drop to 185 kilos. He first intends to recapture the belt at his present weight class, however is assured he may battle within the division 20 kilos decrease.
Present middleweight titleholder Dricus Du Plessis inspired Prochazka to come back down, revealing the Czech athlete really walks round at a decrease weight than him outdoors of camp.
Former champ and present contender Whittaker (25-7 MMA, 16-5 UFC), nonetheless, isn’t as enthusiastic concerning the thought of Prochazka becoming a member of the division.
“I hope he doesn’t,” Whittaker mentioned on the MMArcade Podcast. “I actually hope he doesn’t (transfer to middleweight). I just like the man loads, but when he enters the middleweight division, then we’re enemies. That’s simply the character of the sport. They’re all enemies, aside from my teammates.”
Whittaker mentioned he doesn’t doubt Prochazka’s capability to chop the burden. Nonetheless, he’s not as assured within the thought Prochazka would have the identical effectiveness as a fighter.
“I can’t see him at (middleweight),” Whittaker mentioned. “I’ve seen him in actual life. I’ve been up shut with him, and he’s large, dude. It’s not simply his bodily measurement. He’s acquired an enormous body. Huge shoulders. He’s actually tall. He’s 6-foot-4. However he’s an enormous, large man. I believe he has the mentalities to get (down in weight). Don’t get me unsuitable.
“If he desires to get to middleweight, he’ll do it. Whether or not or not it could be transfer, it’s onerous to say. He’s smashing it at gentle heavy, and he’s mentioned he’s nonetheless acquired objectives there. Keep at gentle heavyweight so we are able to keep mates.”
Whittaker, No. 4 within the newest USA TODAY Sports activities/MMA Junkie middleweight rankings, is ready to return to the octagon in opposition to No. 8-ranked Khamzat Chimaev in the principle occasion of UFC on ABC 6 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on June 22.
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