Robert Whittaker calls for trilogy fight with Israel Adesanya: 'I'm never gonna stop hunting him'

Robert Whittaker Israel Adesanya fight I'm never gonna stop hunting him — Mandatory Credit: Josh Hedges – Zuffa LLC

Despite suffering both stoppage and decision losses to recently minted undisputed UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya, former division gold holder, Robert Whittaker has admitted he will never stop “hunting” a victory over the former as he plans a third siege in the future.

Whittaker, the current #2 ranked division contender, managed to retain his status at the top of the division last year in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night Paris against Marvin Vettori – defeating the Italian in a decision victory.

And the former undisputed champion was expected to return to the Octagon at UFC 284 back in February, an earmarked matchup with former title challenger, Paulo Costa failed to materialize.

However, off the back of the aforenoted, Adesanya’s spectacular second round KO of Alex Pereira at UFC 287 last weekend, Whittaker has taken inspiration from the Nigerian-Kiwi – claiming a final third crack at the new champion may be enough for him to finally land a triumph.

“I’m in a tricky position,” Robert Whittaker told Submission Radio during a recent interview. “I know this. Especially with Izzy (Israel Adesanya) winning that fight [with Alex Pereira]. I know the path that UFC had was for Pereira to win, me to fight Pereira, beat Pereira, Izzy to fight me. That’s the rematch they wanted. That’s how they wanted it to happen. I’m pretty sure.”

“… I’m hunting for it,” Robert Whittaker explained. “I’m never gonna stop hunting for him and that’s just the truth of it. I will never stop. I will never stop coming for him. And if i have to run through people and just end people’s careers to get that third shot at him, then I will. That’s just what I’m going to do.”

First matching with Adesanya in a title unification fight back in 2019 in Melbourne, Australia – Whittaker suffered a second round knockout loss.

Back in February of last year, Whittaker rematched then-undisputed champion, Adesanya, suffering a decision loss to the City Kickboxing staple before rebounding with his own one-sided judging win over common-foe, Vettori.