While Robert
Whittaker may have been much more competitive with Israel
Adesanya in their rematch earlier this year at UFC 271, it
doesn’t seem like a third meeting will be happening anytime soon,
if at all.
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That’s according to the reigning middleweight champion, who
dismissed the possibility of a trilogy with Whittaker during a
recent UFC press conference. Adesanya is currently slated to defend
the 185-pound belt against Jared
Cannonier in the UFC 276 headliner on July 2 at the T-Mobile
Arena in Las Vegas.
“He’s a great fighter, I’ll give it to him,” Adesanya said of
Whittaker. “But I know how that book ends. I’ve read that book
twice already. The first time was a quick read. The second time a
little bit longer.
“He’s probably gonna be at the top for a while. If we fight again,
I know how that book ends. That’s why I’m excited about this next
fight, some new blood, someone I’ve never fought before. If
[Whittaker] wants to he should go up to 205, see what that’s about,
maybe try that for a little bit. I don’t like reading the same book
over and over again.”
Cannonier, a former heavyweight and light heavyweight competitor,
has won five of six Octagon appearances since dropping to 185
pounds. While Adesanya is motivated to take on a fresh face, he
doesn’t necessarily see Cannonier as his most difficult challenger.
In fact, he foresees an early night for “The Killa Gorilla” on July
2.
“Everyone’s a tough challenger. He still carries that strength
around, so I can’t overlook him,” Adesanya said. “But I don’t think
he’s the toughest challenger. I really think I will make it look
easy.
“It’s gonna be fun. It’s gonna look a lot like the [Paulo] Costa
fight.”