Israel Adesanya opens up on 'organic' linkup with former UFC foe Robert Whittaker
Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker’s new-found friendship has brought a smile to the MMA community.
Adesanya (24-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC) beat Whittaker (27-8 MMA, 17-6 UFC) twice in UFC middleweight title fights, but the pair recently reunited on the mats at City Kickboxing in New Zealand.
It was Whittaker who initiated, but Adesanya welcomed him with open arms.
“It was just organic,” Adesanya told MMA Junkie. “His coach hit up my coach, and Eugene asked me. I was like, ‘Of course – he can pull up any time.’ I didn’t know he was pulling up on that Monday, so when I saw him, I was excited. I was hyped. It’s always good to have someone like Rob, the caliber of him around the gym.
“Definitely you can feel his energy in the room, even though he’s just a chill guy. It was nice to exchange with him, and sit down with him, break bread with him, have him come for the breakdown. It was cool. I respect Rob tremendously, and I like him a whole lot more.”
Whittaker admitted on “The Ariel Helwani Show” that back when they were rivals, if he could have hit Adesanya with a car, he would have. Whittaker’s comments brought out a big laugh from “The Stylebender.”
“He’s being funny,” Adesanya said. “Yeah, the tension was high, but we always knew we’d get along. We’re just two chill guys. But yeah, that’s funny.”
Adesanya will look to snap a two-fight losing skid when he takes on Nassourdine Imavov (15-4 MMA, 7-2 UFC) Feb. 1 in the UFC Fight Night 250 headliner at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Saudi Arabia.
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