Robert Whittaker will no doubt be on the lookout for the planned middleweight title fight between Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa.
Adesanya is reported to finally defend his middleweight title against Costa in the UFC 253 main event taking place on September 19.
Adesanya, of course, became the 185-pound king after his impressive knockout victory over Whittaker in October.
“The Reaper” has not competed since then, but will be looking to make his way back to regain his title beginning with a possible victory over Darren Till in the UFC Fight Island 3 title this weekend.
As for how Adesanya vs. Costa, it could be either way.
But Whittaker believes “The Last Stylebender” has what it takes to reach the top, even if he doesn’t like it too much.
“Who can say? I think Adesanya has the necessary skills to beat Costa,” Whittaker said during media day. “He is very technical, he is very good. He is a good fighter. I don’t like him very much but he is a good fighter.
“But Costa is dangerous. She is so explosive, she has crazy cardio and she hits like a truck. Look at the size of it. I’m sure he does something, that it has something to do with why he keeps hurting people. ‘Size doesn’t matter’ – look at his size! Then you fight him and tell me it doesn’t matter. Yes, let’s find out.
Whittaker, who doesn’t like Adesanya, is likely due to the heated build-up they had prior to their middleweight title fight last year.
But it is nothing new according to the Australian: he does not like or dislike any of his middleweight enemies.
“To be honest, I don’t like anyone in the middleweight division,” added Whittaker. “If you’re in the middleweight division, I really don’t like you. But I don’t dislike it either. So don’t be confused. I don’t dislike it, I don’t like it … neutral.
Given his previous status as champion, a win over Till could make Whittaker the next to challenge the UFC 253 main event winner. And it wouldn’t be surprising if he was supporting Adesanya to come out on top.
