ROBERT Whittaker’s agent Titus Day says there is no way Israel Adesanya should be granted an immediate rematch after last Sunday’s shock UFC title loss, saying: “Why would you do that … so he can get knocked out again?”
Only days after Adesanya was stunningly kayoed – for a second straight time — by Brazilian kickboxing star Alex Pereira, Team Whittaker have urged UFC executives to forgo what would effectively be a fourth showdown between the pair.
With Adesanya having now lost three times to Pereira – who also beat him twice, including by KO, in kickboxing – they want Whittaker’s next fight against Paulo Costa at UFC 284 to become a world title eliminator.
That narrative is sure to gather momentum this week as both Whittaker and UFC featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski complete a whirlwind press tour for Australia’s hyped February card — with media appearances in both host city Perth and then Sydney.
Volkanovski will be looking to join the elite list of fighters who have claimed ‘champ champ’ status when he takes on new lightweight king Islam Makhachev.
While Whittaker, meanwhile, is looking no further ahead than own UFC 284 showdown against Costa, Day insists a win for Australia’s first UFC champion should see him face new middleweight champ Pereira.
“There’s no way Izzy should be granted that rematch,” said the agent whose stable includes the likes of Whittaker, Jimmy Crute and Jacob Malkoun.
“The guy has now lost three times to Pereira. Been knocked out twice.
“So why would you do that (rematch) … so he can get knocked out again?”
On an unbeaten middleweight run stretching 12 UFC appearances, Adesanya was leading comfortable on all three judges scorecards when sensationally stopped by Pereira in the fifth.
Ironically, Whittaker had told Fox Sports Australia in fight week to bet on the Brazilian challenger, insisting Pereira — a $2.50 TAB outsider — was great value in what he saw as a 50/50 title fight.
While talk of a rematch was aired immediately after the fight, UFC president Dana White said only that “I wouldn’t rule it out”.
Day stressed however that while Adesanya had been “a great champion”, Whittaker had also won nine straight before losing the title via KO against his arch rival in 2019.
The Sydneysider then waited almost two years for a rematch, along the way beating title contenders Darren Till, Jared Cannonier and Kelvin Gastelum.
While Whittaker then lost an Adesanya rematch in February this year, the decision was loudly booed by Texas crowd whiled a host of UFC types including Chael Sonnen, Anthony Smith and Justin Gaethje also suggested ‘The Reaper’ won.
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“There’s no doubt Izzy has been a great champion,” Day said.
“And has been on a great run.
“But Robert Whittaker was also a great champion when he lost the title by KO – just like Adesanya now has.
“But there was no rematch for him.
“He would have to fight three times before he got a crack at the belt again.
“Sometimes it seems like there are different rules for Rob.
“But the guy is a Barbarian, he just keeps showing up.”
Asked how he would like to see the middleweight division now play out, Day continued: “I think Pereira is going to do what most new UFC champions do – enjoy a victory lap.
“He’ll take a break, celebrate his victory, sign some new sponsors.
“And that would then allow Whittaker versus Costa to become a No.1 contender bout. Certainly if Rob wins, he should get a shot at Pereira next.”
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia in October, Whittaker suggested a UFC title shot should be guaranteed with a win over Costa, stressing: “I will have beaten just about everyone else in the division”.
While the 31-year-old could have waited out last Sunday’s bout between Adesanya and Alex Pereira – and then hoped for a shot – he instead wants to leave no other choice for UFC brass.
