Robert Whittaker has confirmed himself ready to headline an Australian blockbuster later this year – and potentially for the UFC middleweight crown – after securing one of the gutsiest wins of his storied career.
While it has now been five years since he wore the UFC middleweight strap around his waist, the 33-year-old Sydneysider is suddenly right back in championship contention after defeating Brazilian Paulo Costa at UFC 298 in Anaheim, California.
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The Aussie survived a brutal spinning heel late in the first round to rally and secure an incredibly gutsy decision win, taking all three judges scorecards 29-28, 29-28, 30-27.
Afterwards, Whittaker said he wanted onto a proposed Australian card being discussed for later this year, but would likely fight once beforehand – with American Sean Strickland the most obvious opponent.
Fox Sports Australia understands UFC executives are in discussions for a Pay-Per-View to be held Down Under in September – with Perth the early leader to play host.
While the NSW Government boasts a $16 million deal for two more fights to be held in the Harbour City, the timeline would allow for this year’s card to shift across the country.
And speaking after his big win in the US, Whittaker confirmed he wants on.
Already considered a future Hall of Famer, the former champ added yet another chapter to his storied career at UFC 298 when he ate a spinning heel kick, survived, quoted Monty Python and declared “I’m back, baby”.
Whittaker somehow survives MASSIVE kick | 00:43
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On a night where Australia’s UFC featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski was dethroned via brutal knockout, Whittaker also appeared gone with seconds remaining in the first – when struck by that Costa headkick.
Immediately, the Reaper wobbled.
Right leg buckling first, then left.
Still, he never fell.
How?
Who knows.
Same as when Costa then swarmed, Australia’s first UFC champion not only survived the onslaught, but fired hands back.
Incredible.
Asked afterwards about the kick by UFC announcer Joe Rogan, Whittaker borrowed a line from the Black Knight, declaring: “Just a flesh wound”.
Speaking later with media, Whittaker also declared himself ready to fight whoever the UFC tossed up next – while also confirming his eagerness to fight on that Down Under card being whispered for Perth in September.
“If there’s a card in Australia I’m jumping on it,” the Sydneysider said.
“I don’t know when it will be but it makes sense for me to wait for it.”
However, in the same breath, Whittaker also insisted he wants to keep fighting, which will likely see him pitched into a mid-year fight with Strickland and then, with a win, potentially headline one home soil.
“I’d definitely like to fight twice more,” he said of how his year will play out.
“I want to keep fighting.
“I don’t want to take the foot off the pedal.
“Obviously I want to go home and spend some time with my new daughter, my kids, my wife.
“But if I’m not spending time with them, what am I doing? I’m training.
“That’s all I’m doing.”
Whittaker also stressed he had no problem taking on Strickland, who has made headlines recently for his verbal attacks on rivals like Colby Covington and Ian Garry.
“He’s not that bad,” Whittaker stressed.
“I think he’s just kind of holistically angry at everybody.
“I don’t think he singles anyone out unless you do something to him.
“I feel it would be hard for him to get a grip on something I’ve done.”
But as for if the American will be next?
“Options are definitely open,” he said.
“The middleweight division is funny because there’s so much movement and opportunity.
“Any fight could be made at any time.
“And the UFC have always done right by me.
“I’ve never had to pick my opponents, I’ve always had a laid out opponent.
“And I’m not about to change the way I conduct business now.
“I’ve been in this game a long time. So I understand the rules and how the game is played.
“The only thing I’m focusing on is myself.
“That’s a key thing I took away from this week and one of the pressures I put on myself this week.
“I’m going home to spend some time with my new daughter.
“Then it’s straight back into it.”
Whittaker also said he had been watching on a TV backstage when Volkanovski was knocked out by a brutal right hand from undefeated Spaniard Ilia Topuria.
“I saw the finish,” the Aussie said. “And I saw snippets (of the fight).
“Topuria has good hands.
“And that’s the game we’re in; one man loses, one wins.
“But Alex he’s been at the top of the game so long.
“He’s done so much work in that division.
“Probably the most dominant in that division ever.”