But the second-ranked Middleweight contender turned down the fight, according to White, so now there was nothing more to stop Adesanya from moving up and challenge Jan Blachowicz.
However, Robert Whittaker never actually said he does not want to fight Israel Adesanya. In an interview with MMA Junkie, ‘The Reaper’ addressed Dana White’s comments and cleared the air on the matter.
Robert Whittaker: I never said I won’t fight Israel Adesanya
Not only did Robert Whittaker not say he will not fight, he actually clarified in multiple interviews that he is eager for the rematch to happen. But he wanted to take some time off the Octagon to spend time with his family and be there for the birth of his son in January.
For that, Whittaker wanted a timeline for the fight to happen sometime in March or April.
Robert Whittaker said that Dana White twisted his words and misinterpreted them as his reluctance to fight.
Robert Whittaker even went ahead and said that it does not matter to him if Israel Adesanya moves up to Light Heavyweight. He would move up a division himself and meet him there, but he would have the fight at all costs.
As for Dana White’s comments, Robert Whittaker suspects that UFC wanted the Israel Adesanya vs. Jan Blachowicz fight to happen either way.
Whittaker was just dragged in for no reason, despite him saying several times that he wanted the Adesanya fight - just not right now.
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