Robert Whittaker doesn't feel sympathy for Israel Adesanya after UFC 276

UFC middleweight Robert Whittaker has explained why he understands the criticism Israel Adesanya has received after UFC 276.

The storied history between Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya dates all the way back to UFC 243 when, in front of over 50,000 fans in Australia, Adesanya knocked Whittaker out to become the undisputed UFC middleweight champion.

‘The Reaper’ managed to fight his way back to the top and earn a rematch with the champ earlier this year. Unfortunately for the Australian sensation, Adesanya just about managed to edge past the former king on points.

While Whittaker hasn’t fought since that night, Adesanya got back to work at UFC 276 earlier this month when he battled – and defeated – Jared Cannonier via decision.

Unfortunately, many fans and pundits weren’t particularly pleased with the performance put on by ‘The Last Stylebender’.

When asked about his own view on the criticism his rival received during an interview with Submission Radio, Whittaker had the following to say.

“It wasn’t what he sold it to be. He said there was gonna be this and that, this and that, and none of that came through. That’s always the problem, the risk of talking it up like that.

“I do think Adesanya is the best defensive striker in the game. His body was built for it, and he knows how to utilise that skill set to the highest ability.

“Nobody bar him can truly understand what was going on in there and what was happening. The thing is though, the backlash is from him talking it up. What do you want? They were both speaking on it, and then they both didn’t deliver that, which is fine. It’s much easier to handle criticism with a W than an L. At the end of the day winning is what matters, but you did this to yourself. You did it