Israel Adesanya (photo via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Robert Whittaker is expected to fight Israel Adesanya later this year in a unification title bout, and the latter’s claiming that the middleweight was in fact, hoping to face Kelvin Gastelum.

Adesanya battled Gastelum for the interim 185 title at UFC 236 in April, and won the belt via unanimous decision. As a result, the rising star is expected to fight the reigning champ Whittaker sometime this fall.

Recently Adesanya appeared on “Submission Radio“, and while discussing the upcoming bout, “The Last Stylebender” said this (quote via MMA Junkie):

“I know for a fact he didn’t want to fight me,” Adesanya said. “I know for a fact he’d rather have fought Kelvin. And he can say, ‘Oh, I can hit him too. I’m quicker. I’m faster.’ This is all what people say. Eventually, we’re going to fight. And when we’re gonna fight and you’re across the cage from me, it’s a different story.”

“…The fight’s already sold – I don’t have to say anything,” he said. “He even started making memes. I’m like, who the (expletive) taught you how to make memes? Who the (expletive) told you how to make memes? I know he doesn’t run his page, as well. I know who runs his page. I know. You got back and you read some of the captions. I’m like, he’s not writing that (expletive), ’cause he doesn’t like to do that kind of (expletive).”

Whittaker hasn’t competed since last June when he earned a split decision over Yoel Romero.