Whittaker: Vettori ‘Probably’ Next For July Return

Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker was unsuccessful in his bid to recapture the crown from reigning 185-pound titleholder Israel Adesanya in the UFC 271 pay-per-view (PPV) main event earlier this month in Houston, but believes a couple of high-profile victories over his fellow top contenders will lead to an inevitable third fight against “The Last Stylebender.”

That journey starts with No. 3-ranked Marvin Vettori.

“I think [Adesanya] fights [Jared] Cannonier next, and then I think I fight someone in the division,” Whittaker told Submission Radio. “I don’t know how many people are left. Probably Vettori? Yeah, he would have to be the highest ranked next up, I believe. I’m looking forward to [fighting again soon]. I’m going to enjoy my little break now and then get back in the gym, probably look for like a July, August sort of return. I think that will be good, because then I can get a third one in at the end of the year. So, I think that’s good timing for me. But, yeah, that’s very rough, very rough.”

Whittaker (23-6) already holds victories over No. 2-ranked Jared Cannonier, as well as No. 4-ranked Derek Brunson. Outside of Vettori, other potential Top 5 opponents include Paulo Costa and Sean Strickland. In addition, “The Reaper” has not ruled out a jump to light heavyweight, though it sounds like that move would be temporary, or perhaps something for the twilight of his combat sports career.

“Yeah, I can definitely see myself fighting at 205. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, because I have to cut to middleweight and cutting sucks,” Whittaker continued. “So, I think it might be fun. Obviously, I do understand the gravity of going up to 205. The bigger guys, the taller guys, longer reach, heavier-set guys, more power. But I think stylistically I have the style to move up to a heavier power division. But honestly, I’ll take it as it comes. It might be something fun to move up and have a dabble at, but we’ll have to wait and see.”

Whittaker, 31, started his UFC career in the 170-pound division.