It looks like Robert Whittaker won’t be having a fast turnaround after all.
‘The Reaper’ Is Out
The former UFC Middleweight Champion was originally scheduled to take on Marvin Vettori, just a few months after losing to Israel Adesanya at UFC 271. A second loss to the middleweight king wouldn’t pump the brakes on Whittaker’s return though. Whittaker’s next bout was set for UFC 275 in June. But as we all know, things don’t always go according to plan.
Whittaker is reportedly out of his bout with Vettori in June for unknown reasons, according to MMA Island.
Vettori Calls Out Till & Chimaev
Vettori would hint at Whittaker’s withdrawal on Wednesday. And no, he wasn’t exactly happy about it.
“We’re back at this,” Vettori wrote on Twitter. “I think I’m the only 185er that can say that has never pulled out of a fight but anyway smash boys I’ll get you back to back lets do it I’m willing to die just show up @KChimaev @darrentill2 @Mickmaynard2 @AliAbdelaziz00 @danawhite.”
We’re back at this.
I think I’m the only 185er that can say that has never pulled out of a fight but anyway smash boys I’ll get you back to back lets do it I’m willing to die just show up @KChimaev @darrentill2 @Mickmaynard2 @AliAbdelaziz00 @danawhite— Marvin Vettori (@MarvinVettori) April 20, 2022
Nevertheless, ‘The Italian Dream’ won’t be having nightmares about this fight fallout as he prepares for another opponent. He would even name-drop ‘smash boys’ Darren Till and Khamzat Chimaev. Till was actually scheduled to fight Vettori and one point, but the Brit would pull out of the fight.
Chimaev is currently competing at welterweight, but it would be no problem for him to fight at middleweight.
We’ll keep you updated in case any middleweights save the day on short notice. And yes, we’re looking at you Kelvin Gastelum.
