Robert Whittaker is eager to fight Sean Strickland, as both former UFC middleweight champions are coming off losses and have yet to face each other in the octagon, with Whittaker targeting a return around June.
Robert Whittaker and Sean Strickland haven’t crossed paths in the octagon yet. Whittaker thinks it’s high time they do.
Both fighters, former UFC middleweight champions, recently faced defeats. Whittaker lost to Dricus du Plessis, while Strickland fell to Khamzat Chimaev. Given the current state of the division, Whittaker sees a showdown with Strickland as inevitable.
"I think Strickland makes a good argument," Whittaker shared on On Paper with Anthony Smith. "We’ve been circling each other for ages." It’s curious that they’ve never been matched up despite being in close proximity.
Whittaker is pumped about this potential fight. He finds Strickland’s style intriguing and challenging. "He’s a tough dude," he admits, but remains confident in his own skills. Despite having off days, he’s still piecing things together.
Strickland’s last bout was at UFC 312, where he ended up with a badly injured nose. Meanwhile, Whittaker’s loss to Chimaev occurred at UFC 308 in October.
The timeline for Strickland might be a bit hazy after his recent defeat to du Plessis. However, Whittaker aims to return to the octagon around early summer.
“I’ve been honing new skills,” Whittaker said. He eyes June for his comeback, allowing ample time to prepare and enter the camp at his best.