Robert Whittaker needs to problem himself as soon as once more, and he thinks he’s earned the chance to take action.
In his UFC on ABC 6 victory Saturday in Saudi Arabia, Whittaker (26-7 MMA, 17-5 UFC) starched Ikram Aliskerov (15-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) with a TKO stoppage on the 1:49 mark of Spherical 1.
“You hope for the perfect and put together for the worst, proper?” Whittaker informed reporters after the occasion. “I used to be making ready for an absolute 25-minute slugfest. I used to be making ready for struggle – a dogfight. I informed you earlier than, I’ve the mentality of being the hunter. I’m going to go in there and I’m going to stalk my prey. I need to be the predator. I really feel like I achieved that.”
Over the course of his previous 18 fights, Whittaker’s solely losses have come to 2 males: Dricus Du Plessis and twice to Israel Adesanya. Regardless of his losses, Whittaker has continued to overcome all different duties.
After he referred to as to be the UFC 305 backup for the Du Plessis (21-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) vs. Adesanya (24-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) title combat Aug. 17 in Perth, Australia, promotion CEO Dana White permitted. Whittaker defined why he thinks a second crack on the titleholder would go otherwise than the primary.
“I’d wish to assume that (a rematch would go otherwise),” Whittaker stated. “Take a look at the paperwork. Since that combat, I’ve solely improved. I’ve solely gotten higher. I’m not saying that if I used to be on, I’d’ve crushed him. I’m not going to take that away from him. He turned up on the night time and beat me truthful and sq. and now he’s the world champion due to it. He’s a great fighter. He’s good at what he does. However I do know I can do higher. Will I beat him? Perhaps he will get his hand raised once more, however I do know I can do higher and I do know I didn’t put my finest foot ahead in that combat and I need to run it again due to that.”
As for Adesanya, Whittaker says he’s nonetheless on “that checklist.” However at this level, the title is on his thoughts. Whittaker needs to show he’s the perfect on this planet.
“Adesanya remains to be on that checklist, mate,” Whittaker stated. “However I truthfully really feel like my purpose in martial arts, in blended martial arts, in fight sports activities, is to stay as much as my very own potential. That’s the one factor I need to obtain. I understand how good I’m. I’m probably the most harmful middleweight on the planet. Everybody is aware of that. However I’ve huge footwear to fill. That’s the one factor I ask for, each time I combat, each time I step in that octagon, is simply to permit me to do stay as much as my very own potential. Tonight, I really feel like I did that.”
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