Robert Whittaker knows he’s earned another crack at the UFC middleweight championship, but he understands that the situation is out of his hands. Since losing the title to Israel Adesanya October 2019, Whittaker (22-5 MMA, 13-3 UFC) has scored back-to-back wins over top contenders Darren Till and Jared Cannonier to reposition himself at the top of the 185-pound heap. But instead of getting his title fight rematch against Adesanya (20-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC, Whittaker was matched up with former title challenger Paulo Costa to headline UFC on ESPN 22 on April 17, while Adesanya moved up to challenge – and lose to – light heavyweight champ Jan Blachowicz at UFC 259. The stars might’ve been able to align for Whittaker to get his title rematch after Costa withdrew, but instead Whittaker now will face Kelvin Gastelum.
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