Robert Whittaker says Israel Adesanya looked ‘average’ at UFC 263, proves he’s ‘not a God’

Robert Whittaker is feeling good about his chances against Israel Adesanya after watching “Stylebender” fight Marvin Vettori at UFC 263.

Whittaker (23-5) is expected to challenge Adesanya (21-1) next for UFC’s Middleweight championship. Adesanya won the 185-pound crown after knocking out Whittaker at UFC 243 on Oct. 6, 2019, at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. “The Reaper” observed Adesanya’s title defense against Vettori at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz., on June 12, 2021, and Whittaker wasn’t thoroughly impressed.

“Watching that fight against Vettori, you can see Adesanya is not untouchable,” Whittaker told the Daily Telegraph. “It reinforced the fact that he’s very human. Very touchable. I actually thought his performance was average. Not average in the context of being bad but he never did anything more than what he had to do. He didn’t do anything flashy. He didn’t do anything more than necessary, which is a good approach.

“But it certainly doesn’t put you in the realm of Gods,” Whittaker continued. “He’s definitely not a God. He’s a very good fighter, sure but he’s not as good as he thinks he is.”

Adesanya took exception with Whittaker’s analysis, reminding “The Reaper” on social media about how he took his soul.

“If I’m, ‘not as good as I think I am,’ then what does that make you,” Adesanya said on Instagram.

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