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News, Blog and GuidesAfter defeating Jared Cannonier at UFC 254, Robert Whittaker may be next in line for middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.
Stats PerformUpdate: Oct 25th, 2020 08:39 EDT
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Robert Whittaker’s impressive victory over Jared Cannonier has paved the way for a rematch against middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, according to Dana White.
Rematch possible for Whittaker
Whittaker triumphed via unanimous decision in Saturday’s co-main event at UFC 254, using his jab effectively to improve his record to 22-5.
The Australian has now won twice since losing the belt to Adesanya in 2019 – he also outpointed Darren Till back in July – but could get a shot at regaining it next.
White was impressed with the performance against Cannonier, so another meeting with Adesanya “makes sense”.
“It’s very appealing to me. It’s a fight that make sense right now,” White told the media after the UFC 254 event.
“Adesanya has a lot of options, but the fight that makes the most sense is Whittaker.
“I thought Cannonier was going to be a much tougher challenge for him. He looked good, so the Adesanya fight makes sense.”
For your entertainment! 🍿These two left it all in the Octagon. #UFC254 pic.twitter.com/Od1oOdY3gq
— UFC (@ufc) October 24, 2020
Adesanya, who claimed the belt with a second-round stoppage at UFC 243, had talked up a potential clash with Cannonier after beating Paulo Costa in September.
As for Whittaker, his main focus is on celebrating Christmas ahead of a new arrival to the family.
However, he made clear his desire to face Adesanya again “one day”, promising that he has a “couple of tricks” to help avenge the previous loss.
“He [Adesanya] is a tough fight, man. He’s so good, and he only looked better in his last fight – and the fact he beat me once already,” Whittaker said in his post-fight press conference.
“But I feel like I’ve a couple of tricks I can roll out, I can play it differently next time.
