Whittaker hits the gym for GSP fight
ROBERT Whittaker will arrive in Sydney this morning and go straight into training for a superfight with Canadian UFC legend Georges St-Pierre.
Despite leaving New York with his fighting future unknown, Whittaker said he would be “straight onto the mats” and preparing for a world title fight.
As it stands, the middleweight cannot lose. If StPierre chooses to defend the title he won at UFC 217 – after choking Michael Bisping unconscious at Madison Square Garden – he is contractually obliged to fight Whittaker.
A blockbuster likely set for Canada, and a large indoor stadium, early in 2018.
Yet if GSP vacates to chase bigger money fights, Whittaker will then have his ‘interim champion’ status upgraded to UFC middleweight king.
The Aussie would then headline UFC 221 in Perth next February, with his first title defence most likely against No.2 contender, American Luke Rockhold.
Yet for the sake of his rapidly-expanding profile in North America, a superfight with GSP is easily the most exciting, and financially beneficial, option.
Along press row Stateside, plenty of pundits believe Whittaker would prove too strong in a showdown with the martial arts megastar now being considered the Greatest of All Time.
A fight with St-Pierre would undoubtedly do huge pay-per-view numbers globally, and thereby add significantly to the Whittaker family bank account.
Plus, the best way to become a legend is beat one.
And who better than that megastar Canadian who, already considered the greatest welterweight of all time, is now back in the Octagon pushing for the overall GOAT tag?
Elsewhere, UFC Australia boss Dave Shaw reiterated on Saturday night that Mark Hunt would need to visit brain specialist in the US if he ever wants to fight in the company again. Shaw said that even if Hunt had clearance from Australian medical experts, the heavyweight will still need to visit their specialists in Las Vegas.