Robert Whittaker is holding his head excessive, as traditional.
The previous middleweight champion suffered a loss this previous Saturday in the principle occasion of UFC Abu Dhabi, dropping a detailed cut up choice 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 a press release through Instagram reacting to the loss.
“I’m disillusioned, however I’m not disheartened,” Whittaker stated. “There are a number of issues I preferred concerning the battle, however a number of issues I didn’t. I’m going to take all of it, head again to the gymnasium, sit with the group, decide 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 nicely. It bought him the win. It’s what it’s generally, 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 seeking 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 robust 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. Nonetheless, Whittaker made it clear he’ll step again into the octagon once more, ideally in his dwelling nation of Australia.
“This isn’t the top of Robert Whittaker,” Whittaker stated. “That is simply one other studying curve, one other velocity bump. I’m going to spend a while with my household, I’m going to simply relaxation, get well a bit bit, after which hopefully get again on an Australian card. It’s been some time, and truthfully, 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.”
