Israel Adesanya has said this week that, before agreeing to any trilogy bout with Robert Whittaker, the Australian must first go “generate f***ing interest”.
Or as the champ also put it while speaking from inside his New York fight camp, find some way to ensure any new bout between the pair generates him “millions and millions of dollars”.
To which the fighter dubbed Bobby Knuckles says what?
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“Well, what more does he want me to do,” Whittaker laughed Thursday, during an interview with Fox Sports Australia.
“Hit him with my car?
“Any fight between us, people are going to watch.
“It’s going to be so high level that everyone tunes in.”
So no need to find your adversary millions then?
“He’s already earning millions,” the Aussie continued, grinning.
“Gets paid more than everyone else.
“So I dunno … when it comes to us fighting, I can’t do much more than I’ve already done.”
Three years after dethroning Australia’s first UFC champion, Adesanya is now looking to create a new storyline this Sunday when he throws down against another fight rival at UFC 281, Brazilian Alex Pereira.
Apart from boasting two wins over the New Zealander in kickboxing, Pereira also famously – and virally – kayoed the now UFC king during their second bout in 2017.
But with Adesanya having since claimed gold inside the Octagon, it is Pereira who heads into their Madison Square blockbuster as not only the challenger, but an outsider with bookmakers.
Should Adesanya finally win one against this ghost from his past, talk will almost certainly turn to a trilogy bout with Whittaker – who fights Brazilian Paulo Costa at UFC 284 next February.
A win in the Perth blockbuster will simply add to the incredible resume of a fighter who, over the past eight years and 15 bouts, has only lost twice — both times to Adesanya.
Yet earlier this week, the 33-year-old Kiwi suggested his Trans Tasman rival still has work to do if he wants to secure a third championship bout.
Should Pereira win in convincing fashion however, there is also an argument for the Brazilian to then have his first title defence against Whittaker, the No.1 challenger.
So as for who the Sydneysider thinks gives him the best hope of a title shot?
“To be honest, I’m not even focused on that right now,” Whittaker said. “My next fight is against Paulo Costa.
“And trying to get a title shot after a Costa loss, that would be hard.
“Especially when they’re trying every excuse under the sun not to give me one anyway.”
So as for who Whittaker is tipping in Sunday’s headliner then?
“Really, hard to say,” he continued.
“Because I think this is a 50/50 fight.
“But if I was betting my house, I would have to say Israel.
“Because in a fight like this, the defensive fighter is definitely the safer play.
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“And what Adesanya does well – defensive striking, using his range, reach and height to it’s best advantage – he does it so well.
“Not only that, it’s super effective against everyone.
“So he hasn’t needed to change things up.
“It works on everyone.
“But as I said, I think it’s a 50/50 fight.
Told Pereira was a $2.50 TAB outsider, Whittaker laughed: “Well, I’m betting on Pereira then.
“As I said, Adesanya is the safer bet is Izzy.
“He’s a defensive striker and also the champ — if it’s a closer decision it usually leans toward the champ.
“But a hundred per cent, at those odds I’m taking Pereira.”
Asked if he expected Adesanya to be more cautious in this fight, given previous results between the pair, Whittaker added: “I don’t think we’ll see anything different with him.
“Like I said, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
“He uses his defensive striking super effectively.
“And if he starts landing shots then he becomes offensive.
“And that’s another feather in his cap.
“He’s smart enough to know that if something works, if it gets you the win, he will do it at any cost.”
