Whittaker backs star status

Robert Whittaker had a surprising response to Israel Adesanya’s claim he has overshadowed the UFC middleweight champion in his first title defence on home soil, but any talk of a future trans-Tasman super-fight between the two will have to wait.

Surging Kiwi contender Adesanya meets mixed martial arts legend Anderson Silva in the co-main event of UFC 234 in Melbourne on Sunday, which Whittaker will headline against American Kelvin Gastelum. Not that Adesanya sees it that way.

Earlier this week ‘The Last Stylebender’ told ESPN his bout against Silva was the reason Rod Laver Arena sold out in ‘‘minutes’’, adding it was Whittaker’s ‘‘Christmas gift for the next five years’’.

Adesanya has quickly emerged as arguably the most marketable star in the division, going from highly rated prospect to genuine title contender in the space of a year.

But if Whittaker, the New Zealand-born Australian-raised striker, was bothered by Adesanya’s attempt to snatch the spotlight on his big day, he wasn’t showing it.

‘‘Thank you,’’ Whittaker said at a media scrum in Melbourne before delivering a response that suggests he is more than comfortable with what he brings to the table.

‘‘Truth be told, almost every time I’ve jumped on an Australian card it’s sold out, before he was on the scene. The super-fight’s on Sunday because I’m there.’’

Talk of a potential showdown between Adesanya and Whittaker has been building for several months and will go into overdrive if both win on Sunday.

Whittaker (20-4) is 8-0 since moving to the middleweight division five years ago, claiming the belt midway through 2017. Adesanya, meanwhile, has made a spectacular start to his UFC career, winning his first four fights to extend his MMA record to a perfect 15-0.

Yet for the time being, at least, Whittaker’s only concern is Gastelum.

‘‘‘He’s a dangerous fighter. He’s going to come in there hungry with nothing to lose – one of the most dangerous combinations. I’m giving him the respect he deserves.’’

Gastelum is Whittaker’s first opponent since he took control of the division by winning back-to-back five-round wars against Cuban powerhouse Yoel Romero.

Both bouts took a heavy physical toll. Whittaker, 28, battled through a knee injury during their first fight in 2017 before overcoming a broken hand, suffered in the first round of last year’s rematch.

This weekend will show if there are any lingering effects.

‘‘Yoel gave me his best 10 rounds and couldn’t put me away. I went 10 rounds with a monster, no one else has.’’