ROBERT Whittaker has been surprisingly pushed for a title showdown against new UFC champion Alex Pereira, with the fighter himself revealing few other options “make sense”.
In a huge blow for Australia’s UFC 284 card in February, the hyped bout between Whittaker and Brazilian Paulo Costa has been canned – with the latter refusing to sign on for the fight.
That decision means Australia’s first UFC champion is now being rebooked for either March or April – with a host of possible names being discussed including Costa, Jared Cannonier and rising South African star Dricus du Plessis.
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However, speaking on his ‘You’re Welcome’ podcast this week, UFC analyst Chael Sonnen suggested Whittaker go straight into a title bout with new middleweight king Pereira.
While Pereira is expected to rematch Israel Adesanya next – especially given the circumstances in which he took the New Zealander’s title back in November – Sonnen insisted Whittaker be given first crack.
“Robert Whittaker was willing (to do the fight with Costa) but didn’t get it,” Sonnen said, before adding he believed a forfeiture clause should exist for such situations.
“So I believe Whittaker won.
“I believe we now have our fight which is Pereira/Whittaker.
“That’s how I see this.”
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia on Thursday evening, a frustrated Whittaker admitted to having “no idea” who was next for him, but said only a handful of names made sense.
Obviously, the 32-year-old would have no problem being pitched straight into a title bout with Pereira — a fight in which he would almost certainly start as favourite.
Whittaker revealed however that his team has also discussed the idea of now waiting for the more likely scenario of a Pereira/Adesanya rematch to play out.
“That is one idea, yeah,” the Aussie said. “But I only get paid when I fight … and who knows when that rematch will happen?”
Elsewhere, the fighter dubbed Bobby Knuckles suggested the UFC may still rebook him against Costa next – despite the Brazilian having spent months battling the organisation over details around his contract.
“And the way Costa’s stuffed me around, I really do want to give it to him,” Whittaker laughed.
“Speaking with the UFC, they’re saying they’ve already done a contract deal with him.
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“Given him what he wants.
“But he still pulled out of our fight because he wasn’t ready or whatever.
“So then they scrambled to find me somebody else, but anyone who knows the division can look and see there aren’t many potential opponents there.
“Especially at this time of year.
“That’s why they couldn’t come up with anything. It’s just a mess.”
Asked if he thought the idea of travelling halfway around the world was less than appealing for Costa, Whittaker replied: “Who knows? I’m not exactly the easiest fight, either”.
So if Pereira does fight Adesanya next as expected, what is there for Whittaker?
“Maybe Cannonier a second time?” said the middleweight division’s No.2 contender.
“But otherwise, I don’t know.
“I really don’t.
“Because while I fight for living – fight to get paid — there is also a rankings system in place for a reason.
“And I like to fight my way up.
“Or if I can’t fight anyone above me, at the very least I want it to be somebody nearby.
“Somebody I can get bragging rights over.
“They’re the things that get me moving.”
One name being tossed up for Whittaker is du Plessis — the 28-year-old South African who is undefeated in all four Octagon appearances, including most recently Darren Till at UFC 282.
Yet when asked if fighting the Pretoria native, who is ranked at No.10, excited him, Whittaker replied: “Not really.
“I’m at a place right now where I want to fight, but I’m not just fighting for the sake of it.
“So to fight somebody right down the ladder, it doesn’t make sense.
“Which isn’t to say I definitely wouldn’t do it either.
“But what’s in it for me? Are we just handing out fights to anyone?
“As much as fighting is quite simple – and I’ve always taken whoever the UFC put in front of me – there is a political side to the system which is why we have rankings.”
So as for who Whittaker blames over his current situation?
“Ahh, I try not to focus my anger at any one person,” he said.
“Because it doesn’t do anything other than make me more angry.
“So I’m just looking at the circumstances for what they are.
“Yes, it’s annoying.
“But in saying that there are silver linings.
“Like on Christmas Day, I won’t have to sneak off to the gym while everyone else in my family is at lunch.
“I’m going to be home.
“I’m also going to be home – and this is a big one – for my daughter’s fifth birthday.
“That one was going to fall in fight week. And the thought of missing it, that was really eating me up.
“I’ll also be there now for her first day of school, a lot of little things like that.
“So there are silver linings in all of this.”
