Media Robert Whittaker on Isreal Adesanya: "I don't hate him, it's too tiring"

[Question]

VIDEO(SOURCE):

CLIFFS:
-After losing to Israel Adesanya(20-1) he took a break from competing in MMA, Robert was contemplating whether or not he wanted to come back to the sport.

-Didn't enjoy the fight week, media and overall wasn't enjoying himself leading up to UFC 243(First Isreal/Robert fight). This would make him reevaluate his purpose in fighting.

-Interview asks a question relating to Robert's reaction to his fighting career post-UFC 243: "How close were you to giving it up?"
Robert responds: "As close as someone can be to giving up the game".

-Robert comments on Dana saying he didn't want a title shot after Robert's win over Jared Cannonier(14-5):
"There was a lot of chatter about me not wanting a title shot and that's ridiculous. Just because after every fight I wasn't screaming give me a title shot....You know because I wasn't doing that, I think people interpreted I didn't want the title shot. When really I was just fighting, I was enjoying myself.
They wanted me to fight Till, done I'll fight him. They wanted me to fight Cannonier, done I'll fight him. They wanted to fight Gastelum, done I'll fight him....I'll beat whoever you put in front of me, everything that I have in this world I have fought for. I have grinded and fought my way tooth and nail to the position I'm in today."

-Thoughts on Isreal calling him out at UFC 263 after defeating Marvin Vettori(18-5-1): "He's a loudmouth *laughs*, he's a loudmouth and he talks a lot of trash. Especially once his adrenaline's up and the blood's pumping, he loves mouthing off. That's his thing, it's what he does and it annoyed me the first time, but I'm good now."

-He realizes Isreal is just someone he's going to fight and anything else he considers a distraction. Admits the trash-talk got to him for the first fight back in 2019. Says that directing all his anger towards Isreal clouded his brain in the lead-up to UFC 243.

-Robert on if he hates Isreal: "I don't hate him, it's too tiring. You know, I did hate him for the longest time and it was exhausting....Then I realized like why, there are worse people than him *chuckles*.

-Claims Isreal's aura of invincibility is gone, but acknowledges him as a hard fight. Gives Isreal his props for the striking, being well-rounded and overall combat sports experience.

-On what he saw in the Isreal vs Vettori 2 fight: "That last fight with Vettori, you know it was a good fight, it was a smart fight, but he got hit. He got jabbed by Vettori, I'm much faster than Vettori...He did get taken down and I'm a much better wrestler than Vettori, you know everything that works for Vettori I can do better."

-Interviewer: "How much more dangerous are you now than you were two and a half years ago?"
Roberts response: "Mate, ask Gastelum or ask Cannonier how much more dangerous I am. You know I'm a much more well-rounded fighter."

-Says taking the belt back would be a dream, means he would've won the fight.


CLIP:



UPCOMING FIGHT:
Robert "The Reaper" Whittaker(23-5) will be fighting for the middleweight title in a rematch against the champ, Israel "The Last Stylebender" Adesanya(21-1) at UFC 271 on February 12th 2022.
The bout will take place at the Toyata Center in Houston, Texas.

Poster:

Credit to @DaRivv20 for the source/video!

 

[Randy Fandy Fo Fanders]

if he loses i can see him retiring, sounds like this might be it for him.

 

[Leinster Rugby]

Seems like his head is definitely in the right place. Not sure it will be enough to beat Izzy though.

 

[Question]

if he loses i can see him retiring, sounds like this might be it for him.

I see Rob winning this, but him losing this fight would have a big impact on his career.
He can't make welterweight anymore and is too small for light heavyweight IMO. He would still be beating top contenders on their way up, but if he loses this fight and depending on how he would lose it'll be hard to argue for a 3rd fight with Isreal.

It would be like a DJ/Benavidez situation.

Rooting for and still thinking Robert wins though.

 

[Dominic Kosteris]

I see Robert winning. He was super inactive when he fought Izzy. I think he will take a cue from Jan and will utilize his wrestling skills.

 

[DaRivv20]

Excellent thread as always @Question.

 

[2004 account]

Needy attention whore brats usually do suck up ones energy

 

[Juan Bombadil]

LFG BOBBERT

 

[LoveMyMMA]

Robs a good dude. Izzy on the other hand is annoying. He’s always tryna stir up some drama.

 

[DustyWarrior]

I really hope he destroys Izzy in devastating fashion.

 

[TempleoftheDog]

Great cliffs ty.

I really hope he can beat Izzy in the rematch. But he is the rightful underdog here.

 

[G10]

I see Robert winning. He was super inactive when he fought Izzy. I think he will take a cue from Jan and will utilize his wrestling skills.

This. He came off a super long layoff and back-to-back wars with Yoel Romero prior to the Izzy fight. I don't know if he'll beat Izzy, but I think we'll definitely see a much different Robert Whittaker.

 

[Moosetony]

Once rob loses. He will be seen as never that good.

 

[CasualBot]

WAR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[SouthpawSouthernFist]

Izzy has got the Jon Jones thing going on - long reach + very strong, almost steroid-y brute strength up close. Plus his striking is better.

Going to be hard to beat.