Chael Sonnen has delivered a scathing take on the upcoming Adesanya vs Whittaker rematch. The fight, which will headline UFC 271, is set to take place this Saturday night, pitting the former middleweight champion against the man who took his crown.
Sonnen said on his YouTube channel that Whittaker, after suffering a knockout loss to Adesanya back in 2019, “doesn’t want” the rematch. It was obvious, he says, in the first fight that Adesanya had the upper hand when it came to the mental game.
Chael Sonnen Backs Adesanya: “Whittaker Doesn’t Want This”
“They both knew what they were getting into. I believe Robert Whittaker was petrified the first time they fought and I don’t know why. Cause Robert Whittaker was believed by many people that he was going to stop Adesanya. Don’t forget it was Whittaker who was the champion at the time.
Whittaker was the one that walked out second. Something about it threw him off. I could see it in his eyes in the walkout. There was a lot of pressure, 57,000 live people.
It was still Whittaker who I believe as the one of the greatest strikers ever in the sport let alone in the division, against Adesanya who’s one of the great strikers ever within the division and the sport.
The experience of Whittaker, the support of the hometown. Things are going to be great for Whittaker. It was anything but that. Whittaker was knocked out twice, twice the referee had to come in to stop the fight.
Whittaker didn’t want a rematch. They tried to book it. Whittaker has fought 3 guys since. I know Robert Whittaker doesn’t want this. I’ve never competed with anyone in my life and lost and not wanted another fight.”
Furthermore, Sonnen predicted yet another victory for the middleweight champ. Adesanya remains undefeated in the 185-pound division, and although Whittaker has made some serious adjustments to his game, Chael Sonnen says they won’t be enough. That is, unless Whittaker can deliver a five-round performance to break through Adesanya’s superior striking.
“Physically speaking Robert Whittaker has made the bigger gains, for sure he’s made the bigger gains from the 1st time he met with Adesanya till now. But there’s a big gap, there’s still a gap. I lean towards Adesanya.
If Whittaker doesn’t look at the man in the mirror and know he’s the better guy tonight and he doesn’t have a plan B then he’s in trouble.
Whittaker has what it takes to go all five rounds, there is a path to beat Adesanya. I’m putting the curse on Izzy. Do you agree with Chael Sonnen? Let us know in the comments.
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