Israel Adesanya has urged arch rival Robert Whittaker to go find “millions and millions of dollars” if he ever wants to enter into a hyped trilogy showdown in Australia.
Arguably the biggest active star anywhere on the UFC roster, Adesanya is looking to once again defend his middleweight crown against Brazilian Alex Pereira at UFC 281 in New York this Sunday (AEST).
Should the standout New Zealand striker earn revenge, of sorts, against Pereira – who famously kayoed him in a 2017 kickboxing bout – he will then boast wins over every one of the division’s top six contenders.
More impressively, the 33-year-old has also twice beaten both Whittaker and Vettori, who sit first and third respectively on said contenders list.
So what chance a third fight with the Aussie dubbed Bobby Knuckles then?
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Undoubtedly, there are comparisons to be drawn with Sunday’s main event inside Madison Square Garden.
Especially when considering that what makes the bout so intriguing is the fact Pereira has twice beaten Adesanya when the pair were competing on the global kickboxing circuit.
Yet with The Last Stylebender now boasting UFC gold – and a rapidly expanding global brand – it’s the Brazilian up two-zip who must chase his old foe into the American sports mecca.
Which is a wonderful storyline, sure.
Yet for Australian fight fans, it also begs an intriguing question.
Specifically, what must Whittaker have to coax Izzy into any hyped trilogy bout?
“Money,” Adesanya told Fox Sports Australia this week.
“Millions and millions of dollars.
“That’s the only thing he can have.
“So go do something to generate enough f…ing interest in a third fight, generate enough money, and I’ll do it.
“I’ll even do it in Australia again. Do it in a big stadium.”
While Whittaker has only lost twice over the past eight years and 15 Octagon appearances — both against Adesanya — UFC president Dana White has never displayed much interest when asked about a trilogy bout.
However only last month, Australia’s first UFC champ stressed a third Adesanya bout would be guaranteed should he beat Paulo Costa at UFC 284 next February.
While the Sydneysider could have waited for the winner of Sunday’s title bout – and then hoped for a third shot – he instead wants to leave UFC brass with no other choice.
“Obviously one of my options was to wait and see who the winner was between Adesanya and Pereira,” Whittaker said.
“But I don’t want to do that. I don’t like to wait.
“Plus, I’ve beaten just about everyone else in the division.
“So while I’m not looking past this guy (Costa) – he’s put a lot of people away – once I beat him it assures me a title shot.”
While Adesanya has previously spoken of his desire to headline again in Australia — with or without Whittaker — the UFC middleweight champ insists it will not be on February’s Perth card.
Instead, he said top billing for UFC 284 must go to close mate, training partner and pound for pound UFC No.1 Alexander Volkanovski.
Already the UFC featherweight champ, Volkanovski is expected to challenge for ‘champ champ’ status on the Perth card against new lightweight boss Islam Makhachev.
“And I want to be a fan for that show,” Adesanya said. “I don’t want to be fighting.
“I want to be watching as Volkanovski unifies the lightweight and featherweight titles.”
And as for his own fight week vibes?
“I’m chilled,” Adesanya said only days out from a showdown that has him the $1.53 TAB favourite.
Pereira, meanwhile, is wider at $2.50.
“Obviously it’s fight week so I’m excited to be around my people.
“And excited to be done with camp.
“This one, it was a f…ing gruelling camp.
“So right now I’m practising patience until it’s time to work.”
