Robert Whittaker is holding his head excessive, as traditional.
The previous middleweight champion suffered a loss this previous Saturday in the primary occasion of UFC Abu Dhabi, dropping an in depth break up resolution to Reinier de Ridder. Whittaker battled de Ridder for 25 minutes, scoring a dramatic knockdown within the third, however a pair of 48-47 scores for de Ridder earned “The Dutch Knight” the victory.
On Tuesday, Whittaker launched an announcement through Instagram reacting to the loss.
“I’m disenchanted, however I’m not disheartened,” Whittaker mentioned. “There are quite a lot of issues I favored concerning the battle, however quite a lot of issues I didn’t. I’m going to take all of it, head again to the fitness center, sit with the crew, choose it aside, after which get again on the horse. That’s all you are able to do.
“Congratulations to de Ridder. He had a selected recreation plan, he executed it effectively. It obtained him the win. It’s what it’s typically, however yeah, I’m going to be taught from this expertise and transfer ahead.”
Whittaker, 34, has now misplaced consecutive fights for the primary time since 2014. He was trying to bounce again from a nasty face crank submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev this previous October, however fell brief on the scorecards regardless of some sturdy moments.
With a title shot that a lot additional away, followers and critics will probably speculate on what number of fights the 16-year veteran has left. Nevertheless, Whittaker made it clear he’ll step again into the octagon once more, ideally in his dwelling nation of Australia.
“This isn’t the tip of Robert Whittaker,” Whittaker mentioned. “That is simply one other studying curve, one other pace bump. I’m going to spend a while with my household, I’m going to only relaxation, recuperate just a little bit, after which hopefully get again on an Australian card. It’s been some time, and actually, I’m eager for it. It’s been some time since I’ve fought in Australia, and I’d like to battle right here once more. It’s time.”
