A boxing superfight between UFC star Rob Whittaker and IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia has taken a step closer to becoming official.
Whittaker convincingly beat Marvin Vettori at the UFC’s inaugural event in Paris on Sunday and displayed a striking masterclass.
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And he could pit himself against Australia’s only male world champion early next year in Sydney for a professional bout most likely to be at heavyweight, with both sides adamant it will not be an exhibition.
Dean Lonergan, Opetaia’s promoter, has been speaking with Whittaker’s manager Titus Day for “eight to ten months” about finalising a bout between the two Aussie stars.
“Where we’re at is this,” Lonergan told foxsports.com.au.
“He’s (Day) been speaking to Rob. Rob’s keen. Rob’s got one more fight left on his UFC contract.
“In a perfect world, we’d get this done for March next year and then he’d sign a new deal with the UFC.”
However, Day conceded that timeline is under threat as Whittaker sustained some injuries against Vettori, but has not completely ruled out a date in March.
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“Rob broke a couple of toes, so it all depends on when he can get back in,” Day said.
“If they heal up super quick and he fights in December, that’s a possibility. But if they don’t heal and he doesn’t fight until February or March, then it won’t happen.
“That timing is in the ballpark, but there’s a lot that’s got to happen before then.”
It is not the first time Whittaker has been linked with a big name in Australian sport for a boxing match.
The 31-year-old has gone back-and-forth with rugby league legend Paul Gallen about stepping into the ring since 2020, but that ultimately never came to fruition.
However, a text exchange between Lonergan and Day after Whittaker’s latest success in the octagon is evidence that a fight between the UFC star and Opetaia is not as far-fetched as it may sound and stands a realistic chance of happening.
In fact, discussions have been ongoing for several months.
“I literally texted him (Day) today saying, ‘Great result for Rob up in Paris, looking forward to getting this fight together,’” Lonergan said.
“He said, ‘Thanks mate, he’s been working hard on his boxing, hopefully a perfect storm brewing.’
“Prior to that, I’d spoke to him three weeks to a month ago and prior to that, probably four or five months ago. So it’s been fairly regular.”
Whittaker and Opetaia have previously sparred together and a fight between the two would be a major win for fight fans.
It would also be extremely beneficial to each man’s bank accounts and it is this element of the fight that has both sides keen to strike a deal.
“Jai’s a boxing purist and in a perfect world, he wants to unify the titles,” Lonergan said.
“But at the end of the day, Jai’s also a businessman and he’s in the business to make money.
“Right now, I’m collecting information from all around the world on who’s the best opponent for Jai and what’s going to be the best outcome for him.
“Rob Whittaker I think would be financially the best outcome for Jai, simply on the basis that it’d bring a whole bunch of attention to the table and it would bring a whole new set of fans to Jai Opetaia’s story and become aware of what he’s been through in the last six years.”
Money is one of the driving incentives for Whittaker wanting this fight, but for someone who has fought multiple title fights in the UFC, there is also a burning desire for him to test himself against the best.
“Jai’s at the top of the food chain in Australia and one of the best guys in the world,” Day said.
“Rob wants to fight the best guys. There’s a lot of money in boxing and he does a lot of boxing-specific training.
“It would be a big challenge for him and a massive paycheck. Rob fights for money and he wants to fight the best.”
