UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker is the only fighter who defeated Yoel Romero twice in the octagon. “The Reaper” felt his last outing at UFC 225 was a grueling one as Whittaker didn’t just survive the punishing striking of Cuban to come out with a win, but he fought for a long time with an injured thumb.
Kelvin Gastelum will challenge Whittaker for UFC middleweight title next, said he isn’t sure ‘The Reaper’ is going to be able to compete at 100% again after his last two fights against Romero.
Whittaker disagreed with the notion and said, he is an unstoppable force at middleweight division. (Via MMAJunkie)
“I think it’s given Romero a bit of a chip to think that he changed me as a fighter after fighting him twice,” Whittaker said. “He was a tough fight. He was a tough opponent. I had my mettle tested.
“If anything, I think it should be disheartening for every other fighter in the division. No one has what it takes to put me away.”
‘The Reaper’ also not taking Kelvin an easy task, believe he’s holding an edge over Gastelum.
“He’s a tough athlete. He hits like a truck. He’s fast, he’s young, and he wants it,” Whittaker said. “The thing is, though, personally, I think I’m just better at everything than he is.
“I look forward to going into this fight, putting my skill set against his and seeing how that comes out.”
Before their showdown, both men will serve as the coaches on the 28th season of the UFC’s flagship reality series. Both fighters have won versions of the show, with Whittaker won TUF: The Smashes in 2012, and Gastelum was the champion of TUF 17 in 2013.
Earlier this week, Whittaker announced that he wouldn’t be able to defend his belt before the year ends as he suffered a broken thumb and needed time for full healing.
