Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland gained’t be glad if Robert Whittaker skips the road and will get the following title shot.
UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis will face former titleholder Israel Adesanya within the UFC 305 primary occasion subsequent month. Strickland and Whittaker are ready within the wings for the winner of the upcoming title battle.
Strickland, simply days after defeating Paulo Costa at UFC 302, insisted that he has no intentions to battle one other high middleweight within the meantime. He publically refused a matchup with Whittaker, who’s neck-and-neck with him within the title chase.
After Whittaker completed Ikram Aliskerov at UFC Saudi Arabia, some have clamored for Whittaker to get the following title shot over Strickland.
Sean Strickland doubles down on title shot wait
In a current tweet, Strickland scoffed at Whittaker probably getting the following middleweight title shot.
The thought that whittaker will get a title shot earlier than me is fucking wild..
Bro you are 0-3…… With a stoppage lol
I beat each these cunts lol…..
Do rankings matter?! Do the proper factor UFC..
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) July 9, 2024
“The thought that whittaker will get a title shot earlier than me is fucking wild..” Strickland tweeted. “Bro you’re 0-3……With a stoppage lol. I beat each these cunts lol…..Do rankings matter?! Do the proper factor UFC..”
Strickland’s win over Costa was a pleasant bounce-back efficiency after falling to du Plessis by break up resolution at UFC 297. The battle was Strickland’s first middleweight title protection after pulling off the mammoth upset in opposition to Adesanya at UFC 293.
Whittaker, like Strickland, bounced again properly after a surprising defeat within the Octagon. He misplaced to du Plessis at UFC 290 earlier than the victory over Aliskerov.
Strickland has gained 4 of his final 5 fights since back-to-back defeats to Alex Pereira and Jared Cannonier in 2022. Earlier than the title win in opposition to Adesanya, Strickland pulled off spectacular wins over Nassourdine Imavov and Abus Magomedov.
Strickland and Whittaker are undoubtedly the 2 high contenders within the middleweight division behind Adesanya and du Plessis. As they each await one other potential title shot, Strickland is doubling down on his wait.