Robert Whittaker reverses stance on being replacement for Dricus du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya: "I’m no one’s backup fighter"

Robert Whittaker appeared eager to be the replacement fighter for the middleweight title clash between Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya, set to headline UFC 305. However, after several days, the former champion withdrew his candidacy as the backup fighter.

'The Reaper' was meant to face Khamzat Chimaev at UFC Saudi Arabia on June 22 in what UFC CEO Dana White had dubbed a "title eliminator".

But 'Borz' withdrew from the bout on short notice due to illness, and prospect Ikram Aliskerov stepped up to face Whittaker. The Australian dispatched his opponent inside Round 1 courtesy of a thunderous uppercut.

Given that the UFC 305 card takes place in Australia, and that he absorbed no damage at UFC Saudi Arabia, the 33-year-old expressed interest in featuring on the card in some way.

But during a recent episode of Whittaker's MMArcade Podcast, he detailed his reasons for no longer sharing interest in being the backup fighter for UFC 305, citing his recent surgery among other things. He said this:

"I totally forgot that I've got to finish my root canal... I had to get two root canals two days before I flew out [for UFC Saudi Arabia]... But also, once the adrenaline settled down, I'm no one's back-up fighter dude. I'm not gonna sit on the sideline waiting for crumbs. When I fight either one of those guys, that's the fight the UFC's gonna give me, and I'm gonna go hunting... I like that approach much more."

Watch Robert Whittaker's video below (12:10):

---

Robert Whittaker predicts Dricus du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya at UFC 305

Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya will have the chance to settle their bad blood once and for all when they meet in the main event of UFC 305 in August.

The South African has surged through the rankings, dispelling any doubters of his abilities by steamrolling his way to a UFC middleweight title fight against Sean Strickland after beating Robert Whittaker at UFC 290.

'Stillknocks' then defeated Strickland via decision at UFC 297 to set up a massive clash with Adesanya - the only other man to defeat 'The Reaper' at middleweight.

Ahead of the UFC 305 main event, the 33-year-old shared his prediction for the clash during an interview with The Sporting News. Robert Whittaker said this:

"This suits Dricus quite well. I think the performance we saw displayed in his last fight, that level of pressure he put on Sean Strickland, he’ll use to great effect against Adesanya... I’m going to lean towards Dricus for this one."