Robert Whittaker on being undisputed UFC middleweight champion: ‘I’m just happy to have closure’
Robert Whittaker is simply happy about the recent developments in the UFC’s middleweight division.
For a few weeks, there was some uncertainty in the middleweight division when Georges St-Pierre became undecided about his future upon winning the title over Michael Bisping at UFC 217. But it all finally cleared up last week when St-Pierre vacated the title, which subsequently bumped up Robert Whittaker as the undisputed champion.
Whittaker made his first appearance as champion on Tuesday in Perth during the UFC 221 pre-fight press conference. Ultimately, “Bobby Knuckles” is pleased with the recent developments.
“With the UFC anything can happen really,” Whittaker said (via MMA Fighting). “There was no clear-cut matchup for me at any point in the last six months so I’m just happy to have closure. I’m just happy to know that Georges has stepped down, I’ve taken the title and I’m ready to defend it come February against Luke.”
“Yeah, it’s just good to know what we’re doing. I’m a very objective-driven bloke, so to have a goal in mind and to have something to do is very important to me.”
Whittaker is also expecting his first title defense against Luke Rockhold to be a memorable one, given what the two men can bring to the table.
“It’s like he said. We’re not playing games out there. It’s do or die out there and that’s what makes it so thrilling for everyone to watch,” Whittaker said.
“That’s why people come, that’s why the stadium is going to be sold out and the pay-per-views are going to be through the roof. They’re going to be watching that game of inches and the strategies involved.”
UFC 221 is scheduled to take place on February 10th at the Perth Arena in Australia.