Israel Adesanya happy to see Robert Whittaker back in UFC win column

Israel Adesanya praises fellow former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker for bouncing again.

Adesanya (24-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) dethroned Whittaker (26-7 MMA, 17-5 UFC) to develop into 185-pound champion at UFC 243. He beat him a second time of their title-fight rematch at UFC 271.

Each fighters are on a quest to regain gold. Adesanya returns Aug. 17 at UFC 305 to problem middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis in the principle occasion in Perth, Australia. In the meantime, Whittaker is sitting on a two-fight successful streak after getting his hand raised towards Paulo Costa and most recently Ikram Aliskerov.

“I used to be preventing the native hero, Rob Whittaker, who simply really had a terrific win every week or two weeks in the past, however I used to be preventing him right here and defending my belt for the primary time on enemy territory,” Adesanya mentioned in an interview with “TODAY.” “I mentioned, ‘You realize what? I’m going to make it a present.’ And I did.

“It (Whittaker’s knockout of Aliskerov) was stunning. Robbie’s that man. We fought twice. We at all times have historical past, but it surely was good to see him again within the win column, and he’s coming for me, so I’ve bought to remain prepared.”

Similar to Adesanya is paying his respect to Whittaker, he expects Du Plessis (21-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) to do the identical. An enormous narrative main into UFC 305 is how Du Plessis identifies as the primary true African UFC champion – one thing Adesanya took umbrage with.

“For me, you must honor the blokes who got here earlier than you,” Adesanya mentioned. “He’s the man saying, ‘I’m the true African champion,’ however look, you wouldn’t have been in a position to do what you’re doing at dwelling in South Africa if myself, Francis Ngannou and Kamaru (Usman) didn’t pave the best way for you. So you must respect your elders, and I’ll ensure I do this to him.”