Source link : https://mma-news.info/robert-whittaker-talks-prior-rivalry-with-israel-adesanya-if-i-mightve-hit-him-with-my-automotive-i-wouldve/
Former undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker has lifted the lid on his latest coaching periods with fellow ex-titleholder and two-fight foe, Israel Adesanya — claiming through the peak of their rivalry again in 2019, he might’ve envisioned himself working the Metropolis Kickboxing striker down along with his automotive.
Whittaker, a perennial contender on the middleweight restrict and the present quantity 4 ranked challenger within the division, has been out of motion since final October, the place he co-headlined UFC 308 in a rescheduled conflict with the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev.
And struggling a dominant opening spherical face crank submission loss to the undefeated Chechen within the pair’s title-eliminator, Whittaker has but to ebook his return to motion within the new yr.
On social media earlier this month, footage emerged of Auckland-born striker, Robert Whittaker coaching alongside former arch-rival, Adesanya — whom he has shared the Octagon with twice throughout their tenures with the promotion, with the latter making ready for a UFC Saudi Arabia comeback on the flip of the month in opposition to Nassourdine Imavov.
Picture through: @stylebender on X
Robert Whittaker lifts lid on Israel Adesanya rivalry
And sharing some cordial coaching periods in latest weeks, Whittaker has delved into the extent of his rivalry with Kiwi-Nigerian placing ace, Adesanya — notably main as much as their 2019 title unification conflict, revealing he might’ve envisioned himself mowing the previous down in his car.
“I wouldn’t say it was personal, but I’m pretty sure in 2019, if I could have hit him (Israel Adesanya) with my car, I would have,” Robert Whittaker informed Ariel Helwani for Uncrowned. “I just, it’s like, yeah, knock, knock, killed him, like a little bump, you know what I mean? Yeah, it was, there was no love lost there, like none back then.”
“I’m pretty sure in 2019 if I could have hit him with a car I would have.”
It is secure to say the Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya are in a a lot better place 😅 pic.twitter.com/Ke3rvzll4r
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) January 22, 2025
Struggling a second spherical knockout loss in opposition to Adesanya of their first pairing in 2019, three years later, Whittaker compelled Adesanya the gap in a title problem rematch, dropping a unanimous resolution loss to the previous two-time middleweight kingpin.
Author : admin
Publish date : 2025-01-22 22:09:01
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
