Israel Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker 2 targeted for January, reveals Dana White
Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker will be having their rematch in January of 2022, according to Dana White.
After Adesanya defeated Marvin Vettori in June, he called for the rematch with Whittaker and the hope was it would happen later this year. Yet, for a variety of different reasons, the fight wasn’t made but now according to the UFC president, they are working on the middleweight title fight rematch to happen in January.
“That’s a fight we want to make, so we’re working on it,” White said to The Daily Telegraph. “I will get that done. That’s what we’re working on – we’re working on January.”
Adesanya vs. Whittaker 2 would no doubt serve as the main event of the January pay-per-view at a location TBD. Unfortnately, White says the fight will not happen in New Zealand or Australia due to the restrictions. Whether it happens stateside or on Fight Island isn’t known at this time.
“You know what sucks? With everything that’s going on right now, when you think about that fight, that fight should be done over there (in Australia or New Zealand). But that ain’t going to happen,” White said. “Listen, I don’t like to be all cocky and s**t, but we will do everything in our power to get that stuff worked out.”
Israel Adesanya defended his middleweight title and returned to the win column last time out with a decision victory over Marvin Vettori. Prior to that, he suffered a decision loss to Jan Blachowicz for the light heavyweight title. Before the setback, he TKO’d Paulo Costa and beat Yoel Romero by decision to defend his belt after winning the title by TKO’ing Whittaker at UFC 243.
Robert Whittaker, meanwhile, beat Kelvin Gastelum back in April. Prior to that, he defeated Jared Cannonier and Darren Till by decision to return to the win column after losing his belt to Adesanya.
