UFC
UFC: Adesanya-Whittaker rematch 'makes the most sense'
After defeating Jared Cannonier at UFC 254, Robert Whittaker may be next in line for middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.
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."
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.
"I do want to fight him, one day. Whether it's in my career or in a parking lot someday. I feel like our paths will cross again.
"But I'm not worried about who I fight next. My whole mentality is you line them up, I'll knock them down. I'm pretty good at that."