ABU DHABI – Robert Whittaker believes that Israel Adesanya has the tools to defeat Paulo Costa and retain his UFC middleweight title.
Former UFC middleweight champion Whittaker (20-5 MMA, 11-3 UFC) is in an ideal position to give his assessment of Adesanya, having recently lost his title of “The Last Stylebender” last October in the UFC. 243.
Adesanya (19-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) will face Costa (13-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) in the UFC 253 main event on September 19, and while Whittaker acknowledges Costa’s strength, he thinks that Adesanya has what it takes to get the job done.
“I think Adesanya has the necessary skill set to beat Costa,” Whittaker told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at Tuesday’s UFC on ESPN 14 media day. “He’s very technical, he’s very good. He is a good fighter. I don’t really like him, but he’s a good fighter. But Costa is dangerous. It is so explosive, it has crazy cardio and hits like a truck. Look at the size of it. I’m sure it does something. I’m sure it has something to do with why he keeps hurting people. “
Despite losing his title and taking time off to recharge, Whittaker is potentially one bout from yet another crack in the title. He faces Darren Till (18-2-1 MMA, 6-2-1 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC Main Event on ESPN 14 at Flash Forum on Yas Island.
But Whittaker admits that he is not focused on the implications of the title and is happy to be back.
“It doesn’t concern me at all, because a great thing for me is that I’m enjoying the game,” said Whittaker. “I am enjoying the sport. I am enjoying the gym because people see me as a great contender, because I am a great contender. I am one of the best in the world and I am still only 29 years old. I think many people forget it too. I have enough time to get away from the game and just train skill sets and come back later.
“Honestly, the world is my oyster where I am sitting, and I think the most important thing is that I want to enjoy it and earn a living, and that’s it. As a team, as a family, we are doing it together, so I have to be happy with that. ”
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