Israel Adesanya is calling “cap” on his scheduled rematch with Robert Whittaker in February, at least according to Twitter. Dana White was quick to dismiss this, and even Adesanya’s management, Paradigm Sports, seemed to agree with the UFC’s scheduling.
White quickly pointed out that if “The Last Stylebender” doesn’t feel like fighting, he’s more than welcome to sit on the sidelines a little while longer.
Israel Adesanya Calls UFC 271 “Cap”, Dana Fires Back: “When have we ever f*cking lied?”
“Listen, if he doesn’t want to fight Whittaker, OK, then I guess we’ll find another fight. Who gives a sh*t? I definitely don’t give a sh*t. You don’t want the Whittaker fight to be on? OK, then find something else.”
Dana White seemed to take the accusation that the UFC was disseminating misinformation personally. Dana has been steadfast in his position that the fighters on his roster are more than welcome to stay away from the Octagon, and took aim at Adesanya for implying that the UFC would lie about a major event like a title defense.
“Why would we lie? When have we ever f*cking lied? This fight’s coming up…we lied about it? Twenty f*cking years, have we ever lied about making a fight?
Some fights are harder to make than others, but I don’t think we’ve ever lied about making a fight. Why would we lie about that fight?”
Some fights certainly are difficult to put together. Robert Whittaker still calls Australia home, and the island nation’s COVID-19 restrictions have made fighting difficult for many of its pro athletes. Just a short flight away from Whittaker’s home of Sydney is New Zealand, which has endured similar restrictions in recent years.
Both island nations have enjoyed remarkably low COVID-19 rates thanks largely to these regulations, but they have made fighting internationally challenging for Whittaker and Adesanya.
Adding fuel to the fire is that Robert Whittaker was the reigning middleweight champ when Israel Adesanya won the belt from him. This took place in front of a home crowd in Australia, and both fighters have since expressed serious intention for a rematch to take place either in Australia or New Zealand.
This is unlikely to take place considering the travel restrictions in both countries, particularly given the new Omicron variant of COVID-19 currently running rampant through Europe.
At the moment, UFC 271, headlined by Adesanya vs Whittaker 2, seems set in stone. Do you think the UFC are “lying” about their events? Let us know in the comments.
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