UFC 284: ‘If Izzy can take him down, Whittaker would get him out’ Robert Whittaker grabs mixed reaction for tagging ‘giant’ Alex Pereira a ‘better matchup’ than Israel Adesanya

UFC 284: Robert Whittaker UFC 284 fight update: Robert Whittaker foresees UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira being a better matchup for himself than former champion Israel Adesanya. Whittaker, who is scheduled to battle Paulo Costa at UFC 284, recently shed views on his chances of facing ‘Poatan’ Pereira in the future. Follow UFC Fight Night Derrick Lewis vs. Sergey Spivac updates with insidesport.IN.

Also Read | UFC 284: Alexander Volkanovski reveals his UFC lightweight title fight preparations for Islam Makhachev

Robert Whittaker clarified his intentions of not looking past Paulo Costa until UFC 284 gets over. He sat down with the media alongside featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski at the UFC 284 Ticket-Sales conference and talked about battling Alex Pereira.

‘The Reaper’ said, “I think [Alex] Pereira is a better matchup for me than Israel [Adesanya] just because of the way he stands, the way he likes to push forward, the way he likes to fight. I feel, gives me a better edge but in saying that, did you see the size of the fella?”

Robert Whittaker on Alex Pereira: Did ya see the size of the fella?#UFC284 pic.twitter.com/jWyKHqGF1z

— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) November 16, 2022

Fans delivered mixed reactions to Whittaker’s statement. Some of the fans bought his claim, while others weren’t very much convinced. Here’s a look at the Twitter reactions to the post.

If Izzy can take him down, Whittaker would get him out out of there in 2 or 3 rounds at most.

— Conor (@TrophyMerchants) November 16, 2022

Pereira can damage Whittaker's leg badly with his kicks. Whittaker would get KO if he can't take Pereira down.

— Syed (@SyedHusstyles) November 16, 2022

Rob might be my favorite, he’s just a funny dude but he isn’t mean, that loss to Izzy opened up his personality

— Kenny B (@fresh_squeezer) November 16, 2022

Lol Rob couldn't even get pass through IZZY now he saying Alex is a better match-up for him lol is this guy serious

— Grey days turn sunny (@malvinmalman) November 16, 2022

Styles make fights

— Sean (@SeanDrago) November 16, 2022

It would probably only take one takedown for rob to end the fight

— kD (@kay22313) November 16, 2022

Fuck I wish Rob wasn’t fighting Paulo 😭

— Blond Costa (@BasedMa4) November 16, 2022

How can ya not love Bobby Knuckles? Always a treat

— Nick (@NickSheisty) November 16, 2022

I am Brazilian, but I think am going with Bobby Knuckles! He is a really cool guy…

— Yuri Novicki (@ynovicki) November 16, 2022

It’s a better matchup for him because he can wrestle pereira. Just say that lol…

— j (@jcas98) November 16, 2022

 

Robert Whittaker was on a 9-fight win streak when he lost his middleweight crown to Israel Adesanya via KO at UFC 243. Adesanya planted a flush right-left combination on Robert Whittaker to feed him to the canvas. ‘The Reaper’ bounced back from it with three consecutive wins, only to suffer a failed attempt at his lost crown against Israel Adesanya in a rematch at UFC 271.

UFC 284: ‘If Izzy can take him down, Whittaker would get him out’ Robert Whittaker grabs mixed reactions for tagging ‘giant’ Alex Pereira a ‘better matchup’ than Israel Adesanya

Having resurrected himself with a win over Marvin Vettori next, Whittaker can aim for the UFC middleweight title again by beating Paulo Costa at UFC 284. Meanwhile, Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira can lock horns in a potential rematch to determine who actually deserves to hold the 185 lbs gold.

UFC 284 Alexander Volkanovski vs. Islam Makhachev: A staggering UFC 284 fight card is onboard

Apart from Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa and Alexander Volkanovski vs. Islam Makhachev, the UFC has put on a stellar set of bouts for the UFC 284 card, which will take place on February 12, 2023, in Perth, Australia. Here’s a look at the fights that have been announced so far.

Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski- Lightweight title bout

Yair Rodriguez vs. Josh Emmett- Interim featherweight title bout

Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa- middleweight bout

Mingyang Zhang (debut) vs. Tyson Pedro- light heavyweight bout

Jack Jenkins (debut) vs. Don Shainis- featherweight bout

Justin Tafa vs. Parker Porter- Heavyweight bout

Jimmy Crute vs. Alonzo Menifield- light heavyweight bout

Kleydson Rodrigues vs. Shannon Ross

Joshua Culibao vs. Melsik Baghda Saryan

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