Robert Whittaker Knows He Can Beat Israel Adesanya
While Whittaker didn’t get the job done at UFC 243, one thing the fighter knows is that he can beat Adesanya in the future.
“I’d like to see on another night, let’s go at it again,” Whittaker said at the UFC 243 post-fight press conference (via Mike Bohn & Ken Hathaway of MMA Junkie). “I think I can do that. And that’s what’s so disappointing, I guess. I feel like I can beat him. I feel like I have the skillset to beat him. But we clashed heads, and I came off second best. I got caught. Hats off to him. He’s a great striker and congratulations. But like I said: I’m not going nowhere. I’m still one of the best in the world. I’ve always claimed that title. I’m one of the best in the world. I got the title once.”
Whittaker was beaten for the first time in over five years at UFC 243, with that previous loss coming to Stephen Thompson at UFC 170.
A defeated Whittaker says that he is still healthy, despite suffering the knockout loss at UFC 243.
“Thank God I’m not injured,” Whittaker said. “I took the knockout, but I’m healthy. I’m just going to come home and see my family, get training, I’m going to do my podcast, and I’m coming back to work in a couple months. I’m on the market. I’m here to fight. I’m back to work, and I felt great out there. This is the best I’ve ever been. Honest to God, this is the best I’ve ever been. I just got caught, and that’s what happens.”
There is no word yet on when Whittaker is returning to action, as UFC 243 marked his first fight in over a year.
