Love him or hate him, the scope of MMA is always more compelling, especially with Conor McGregor. The Irishman gets back in the mix with a five-round headliner at UFC 303. His comeback has already drawn in a multitude of undercard and rival applications. But will it be raising the bar for his peers any sooner? With what essentially marks a penultimate run, Robert Whittaker says no.
The Aussie isn’t one to not recognize a prestige legacy behind a fighter when it’s due. Conor McGregor, who has long maintained his spot in the UFC Official PPV buyout listings, is one. Robert Whittaker knows that McGregor’s return has already preemptively drawn the first-ever projected live gate of $20 million in pre-sales. McGregor remains a popular draw despite his long lay-off, but that’s where the buck could end.
I feel like he’s done his part, in what’s good for the sport… He definitely still brings eyes and everything, …working his movie Road House, it just brings more eyes and more eyes…always good but as far as fighting goes, I think it’s passed. You guys would understand, like, fighting isn’t one of those games you can play at…it’s not one of those games you can do part-time because there’s some Brazilian kid that has absolutely nothing…that would literally die for this…to beat you.
Robert Whittaker via “Triple M” radio (@triplem) with Mick & MG
McGregor is an avid MMA promoter and an inspiration. But is he still breaking ground for MMA, or is the upswing plateaued? Speaking with Oscar Willis of The Mac Life (@TheMacLife), the Irishman said he would tone down brazen enactments. However, it would be hard not to be personal; on the last legs of his contractual run, McGregor is in his redemption arc.
Even Michael Chandler thinks his return is a make-it or break-it situation. McGregor can still be the biggest attraction of the event. Nevertheless, Robert Whittaker doesn’t want to talk about how much impact McGregor can make with his return. The Irishman did not fight for three years and it will come at a price, especially when Chandler has trained all this time.
Robert Whittaker advises Khamzat Chimaev to manage pace before their fight
Middleweight stalwart Robert Whittaker meets Khamzat Chimaev in the UFC on ABC 6 headliner on June 22 at Kingdom Arena. Before that, ‘The Reaper’ has engaged in social media rounds and pre-fight radio sitdowns. He attended one such interview with “Triple M” radio, adding on Conor McGregor’s return. His pre-fight prediction was all glum on that front. He had some valuable input on the issue of the Chechen standout.
Robert Whittaker warns Khamzat Chimaev to pace himself (Source: IMAGO/Instagram)Manage the pace, or it could cost steeply; that’s the gist of it. ‘Borz,’ the all-around boogeyman, is prone to opening big in the early frames. Chimaev tended to slow down in output over Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman but ultimately outlasted and barely outpointed them. UFC on ABC 6 marks the first 25-minute fight of his career. Whittaker, who is no stranger to five-round scraps, cautions him ahead.
It’s a five-round fight, so I’m sure his pacing’s got to be a little different, otherwise, …it’s going to be an early night for him…He’s got power. He’s got a very clean one-two down the pipe. I’m aware of it. Definitely not – I’m not underestimating it, but I can handle it. I do think I have the striking superiority…
Robert Whittaker to Niko Pajarillo of Fox Sports AUS, at UFC’s PCYC NSW launch (@mainevent)
Whittaker sees Burns’ close loss to Chimaev at UFC 273 as a similar blueprint and close tactic piece. However, the Aussie fighter knows he can exhaust Chimaev’s wrestling and answer with better striking. He considers his spacing lends itself to making a case for more refined strikes. Whittaker already proved he can perform in high-paced striking battle barrages against similarly fiery Paulo Costa. The two met at the UFC 298 co-main event at Honda Center in Anaheim and Whittaker has similar plans for Chimaev.
