Robert Whittaker disagrees with critics over matchmaking

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LAS VEGAS Many expected to see Dricus Du Plessis challenge UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, but it didn’t materialize.

With no new challengers currently on deck for Adesanya, it was a given for many that Du Plessis (19-2 MMA, 5-0 UFC) was next in line for the title. He remains undefeated in the UFC, is highly ranked and has an ongoing beef with Adesanya. This is usually a good recipe for getting a title fight.

But to the surprise of many, Du Plessis was matched against former champion Robert Whittaker for Saturday’s UFC 290. The booking was criticized by many fans and pundits, given that Whittaker (25-6 MMA, 15-4 UFC) was expected to be a strong favorite to beat Du Plessis, which ultimately reflected in betting for the fight. , thus unnecessarily eliminating a new competitor.

Whittaker disagrees with this line of thinking and has stated that this is how the fighting game should work.

“That’s the business,” Whittaker told reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “If you’re not promising, you shut down newcomers, don’t you? It’s just part of the concert.

Whittaker was scheduled to fight Paulo Costa in February, but the fight was never officially signed. He was the one who asked to fight Du Plessis after the Costa fight failed.

“I asked if he was free,” Whittaker said. “After the end of February, my bank account looked a little thin, so let’s get to work.”

Adesanya remains without a challenger, and it’s possible he could be booked for UFC 293 in Sydney on September 10, given his popularity in the Oceania region. Whittaker isn’t ruling out a quick turnaround to challenge Adesanya again at home, but he needs to mind his business first.

“I would like to fight in Sydney. It’s one of those things, but my schedule doesn’t extend beyond the weekend right now,” Whittaker said. “Nothing matters after the weekend. I just have to pass this hurdle first.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s Event Hub for UFC 290.

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