Robert Whittaker admits he doesn’t have a say within the UFC’s middleweight championship matchmaking, but when he had the mighty pencil, he would’ve performed issues in a different way.
Throughout the UFC 310 broadcast this previous Saturday, the UFC introduced that champion Dricus du Plessis will defend his title in a rematch towards Sean Strickland at UFC 312 in February. Regardless of UFC CEO Dana White repeatedly saying that Strickland would get his rematch following his resolution win over Paulo Costa at UFC 302 in June, followers have been puzzled with the matchmaking, as they anticipated Khamzat Chimaev to get his first championship alternative after his spectacular first-round submission of Whittaker at UFC 308 in October.
Whittaker was requested if Chimaev ought to’ve gotten the shot over Strickland.
“Positively,” Whittaker stated on his MMArcade Podcast. “Khamzat was within the dialogue when he beat Usman that point. After which he had the break day after which he fought me, beat me. So I don’t know, he’s all the time type of been within the title dialogue. He’s undefeated. Yeah, I don’t know.
“It’s onerous to argue towards him getting a shot at this level — particularly if you happen to’re giving Sean Strickland a title shot like that.”
Of their first assembly at UFC 297 in January, du Plessis received a brilliant shut break up resolution over Strickland to win the middleweight title. Since then, du Plessis stopped Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in August.
Whittaker’s co-host introduced up the truth that Chimaev has had success in a number of weight courses, and has been keen to face all ranges of competitors if he’s able to compete, no matter discover. Whereas “The Reaper” agrees, he additionally needs to ensure that similar respect goes the opposite method, and can watch Strickland look to change into a two-time champion both method.
“To be truthful, Sean’s that form of fighter, too,” Whittaker defined. “He’ll battle anybody as properly. … Sean’s fought a bunch of individuals at completely different weights as properly, so there’s no argument there that Sean will battle anybody.
“And that battle [with du Plessis] was so shut. I don’t care, dude. Finally, let him, who cares? I’m out of the image, it doesn’t matter anymore.”
As of now, the UFC hasn’t revealed any plans for Chimaev. So the query now could be, will Chimaev anticipate the winner of the du Plessis vs. Strickland rematch, or will he take one other battle to remain busy?
If it’s the latter, Whittaker has an attention-grabbing suggestion.
“I believe Chimaev’s proper there for a title shot, on the very least,” Whittaker stated. “Or, I don’t know, put him towards Adesanya. That’ll give him a title shot [if he wins]. Why not?”
