Former UFC title challenger Rob Whittaker to return against Marvin Vettori at UFC 275 in Singapore on June 11

Robert Whittaker is getting back to work, with the former UFC middleweight champion to face top contender Marvin Vettori at UFC 275 in Singapore on June 11.

Whittaker will take on former title challenger Vettori in a three-round clash as he attempts to make his case for a third bout with his nemesis, champion Israel Adesanya.

While the title is always at the back of Whittaker's mind, the 31-year-old is taking a businesslike approach to his future following his decision loss to Adesanya last month — his second defeat in two outings against the New Zealander.

He is clearly levels above the rest of the division but he will have to mount an extremely impressive case in order to gain a third bout with the champion.

«Where can I climb too? That's how I looked at it on my first run to the title,» he said.

«I enjoyed that preparation but I'm in a different place these days.

I do consider what I do as a job. It is a job and I'm good at it and I'm blessed to have the gifts to excel in this field.

In my mind, I am a modern-day gladiator. That's how I put bread on the table.

»Getting the belt is a goal I'm always aiming for. It's kind of like someone in a job looking for a promotion. Nobody in any job is happy where they are. They want that promotion and I'm in that boat.

«But first and foremost it's about upping my skills, winning fights, getting paid and coming home to my family.

»That belt is always there, it's always an ambition of mine, but I have to enjoy the process."

Enter Vettori, the tough-as-nails Italian who is one of the few elite middleweights Whittaker has yet to face.

Vettori is known for his grit – he lasted 10 rounds across two fights with Adesanya and most recently gutted his way to victory against Brazilian Paulo Costa.

«It's