Robert Whittaker is still hunting the chance to “gobble up that gold” after defeating Marvin Vettori in the co-main event of UFC Paris.
Robert Whittaker (24-6 MMA) had entered tonight’s contest looking to rebound, this after suffering his second career defeat to Israel Adesanya in his most previous effort at February’s UFC 271 event.
Prior to that setback ‘The Reaper’ had strung together three straight unanimous decision wins over opponents Darren Till, Jared Cannonier and Kelvin Gastelum.
Meanwhile, Marvin Vettori (18-6-1 MMA) had last competed eleven months ago where he scored a unanimous decision victory over Paulo Costa in a light heavyweight contest. Prior to that win, ‘The Italian Dream’ was also coming off his second career loss to reigning middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.
At UFC Paris co-main event resulted in another strong showing from the former champion in Robert Whittaker. ‘The Reaper’ looked sharp in the standup department and was also able to showcase his world class takedown defense. Marvin Vettori looked visibly frustrated throughout the course of the fight, but still showed a ton of heart in defeat.
Official UFC Paris Result: Robert Whittaker def. Marvin Vettori by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Following his impressive win over ‘The Italian Dream’, Whittaker spoke with reporters at the UFC Paris post-fight press conference where he made it clear that his focus is still on reclaiming the middleweight title.
“I’m a fiend for progress,” Whittaker said (h/t MMA Junkie). “I want to move forward. I’m hunting that gold still. So I’m always going to lurking around, just destroying who they put in front of me until I get a chance to gobble up that gold.”
Robert Whittaker continued:
“I’m the most dangerous man in the division. Israel’s the champ. He beat me twice. Hat’s off to him for that. He’s a great fighter, he really is. And I think stylistically he’s a great fighter. I still think I’m the most dangerous man in the division because I win. I win a lot, and I make people hate fighting and I take the fight out of them. That’s what I do. I get in there and I get to work.”
Despite having suffered two losses to Israel Adesanya in the past, Robert Whittaker explained how his most recent collision with ‘Stylebender’ left him with a lot of confidence.
“He knocked me out the first one then the second one was a really close decision,” Whittaker said. “I’m not butt hurt about it, but on another day it could’ve been my win. Mentally that’s massive. It’s very hard to explain how it feels to get knocked out and lose your belt like that. It sucks. There’s a bit of a learning process afterward. A picking-up-of-the-pieces process. I conquered most of them.”
As for what’s next, Robert Whittaker plans to have his next fight take place in his backyard of Australia.
“I hear there’s rumors of an Australia card. I would love to fight in my backyard. I think that’s the next move for me.”
UFC Paris full card results
Main Card
Ciryl Gane def. Tai Tuivasa via KO (punches) – R3, 4:23
Robert Whittaker def. Marvin Vettori via UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Nassourdine Imavov def. Joaquin Buckley via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Roman Kopylov def. Alessio Di Chirico via KO (punches) – Round 3, 1:09
William Gomis def. Jarno Errens via majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-29)
Nathaniel Wood def. Charles Jourdain via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Preliminary Card
Abusupiyan Magomedov def. Dustin Stoltzfus via TKO (strikes) – R1, 0:19
Nasrat Haqparast def. John Makdessi via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Fares Ziam def. Michal Figlak via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Benoit Saint Denis def. Gabriel Miranda via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 0:16
Cristian Quinonez def. Khalid Taha via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:15
Stephanie Egger def. Ailin Perez via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:54