UFC: Chris Weidman loves Israel Adesanya fight, but thinks Robert Whittaker can win rematch
- ‘The way he looked in his last fight, that’s a different Whittaker than we saw the first time,’ Weidman says
- ‘Refurbished’ former UFC middleweight champ feels he has the tools to beat Adesanya as he looks to continue path back to title
Chris Weidman believes Israel Adesanya will be facing “a different Robert Whittaker” if they do rematch for the UFC middleweight title, but the American also feels he has the tools to beat the champion.
Former champ Weidman (15-5) fancies his own chances against Adesanya, as the 36-year-old looks to continue his momentum against Uriah Hall (17-9) at UFC 261 this Saturday night in Jacksonville, Florida.
“I do love that Adesanya fight, I love that challenge and I think have the tools to do it,” Weidman told SCMP MMA. “I don’t know if he still will be champion at that time though. I think Whittaker has the ability to beat him as well.
“The way he looked in his last fight, that’s a different Whittaker than we saw when they fought the first time.”
Nigerian-Kiwi Adesanya claimed the belt from New Zealand-born Australian Whittaker with a second-round KO at UFC 243 in October 2019 inside Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.
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“The Reaper” has shrugged off the defeat by reeling off victories against Darren Till (18-3-1), Jared Cannonier (13-5) and now Gastelum to mark himself out as the clear next challenger.
“I think Whittaker without a doubt deserves a title shot in my eyes,” Weidman said. “He won his last three now after losing and he looked great. His last fight was awesome.
“[Marvin] Vettori fought [Kevin] Holland after the playbook was already out there on how to beat Holland, and he couldn’t finish him, so I don’t think he deserves to be fighting for the title. I think he needs some more fights until he should be fighting Adesanya.”
Like Whittaker, Weidman himself is on a rebuilding mission – “The All-American” was riding a 1-5 streak before grinding out a tough decision over Omari Akhmedov (21-5-1) last August.
It marked a return to the 185-pound division he used to rule following a brief, unsuccessful foray up to light heavyweight, and Weidman believes the throne can be his again.
“If I’m able to put the work in that I feel I can put in, and be able to demonstrate that, I think it’ll speak for itself,” he said. “And it’s not gonna be something like I’m begging for the title. It’s gonna be the fight the fans wanna see.”
“I see myself going out there and dominating this fight then getting a big name,” added Weidman, who knocked out Hall in the first round at Ring of Combat 31 in 2010. “It may be two or three fights until I’m fighting for the title. I just gotta put the work in and prove it.
“Obviously it’s one fight at a time, and I got my work cut out for me, but that’s the goal. That’s why I’m in this sport – to become the best and prove it. The middleweight division is heating up and I’m excited to be a part of it.
“I just feel like I’m ready for a resurgence into this middleweight division, wit a new environment living in South Carolina now, different training partners, still the same coach but some added coaches as well. I feel like a refurbished Chris Weidman.”
