Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker believes Israel Adesanya’s biggest challenge ahead of his upcoming fight against Shara Magomedov will not necessarily come from his opponent, but from himself.
Isreal Adesanya is scheduled to face the Russian fighter, popularly known as Shara Bullet, in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia on December 5 at the ANB Arena in Riyadh. The former two-time middleweight champion enters the contest on a four-fight losing streak and will be looking to get his career back on track.
Speaking on the MMArcade podcast, Whittaker expressed concern about Adesanya’s recent performances but insisted that he still possesses the striking ability to overcome Magomedov. Whittaker believes Adesanya has the technical ability to win the matchup, particularly if the fight remains on the feet. However, he pointed to Adesanya’s previous performance against Nassourdine Imavov as an example of what concerns him. According to Whittaker, Adesanya started that fight well but failed to maintain the same level of focus as the contest progressed.
“I don’t like this. I don’t like it,” Whittaker said on the MMArcade podcast. “But it’s also like, if Israel comes on like he did at the beginning of Imavov, if he comes on, this is a technical fight he can win. He can beat Shara across the park. Shara’s not going for a takedown. Shara’s not going for a takedown. If this is in pure standup ability, Israel’s phenomenal. His standup is so good. It’s just, he’s got to sustain that vision throughout the fight, the entire fight. “Like Imavov, he started so well. I can’t help but feel he didn’t sustain that vision; he didn’t sustain the focus for the entire fight. I don’t know.”
Whittaker believes the former champion’s ability to rediscover his confidence and focus could be more important than the chall enge presented by Magomedov.Despite Adesanya’s recent run of defeats, Whittaker is clearly not writing him off. Instead, he believes the version of Adesanya who dominated the middleweight division still has what it takes to defeat Magomedov. Whittaker’s assessment carries additional significance because he has shared the Octagon with Adesanya twice.
Their rivalry began at UFC 243 in October 2019, when Adesanya stopped Whittaker in the second round to become the undisputed middleweight champion. They met again at UFC 271 in February 2022, with Adesanya retaining his title through a unanimous decision victory. Although their rivalry was once heated, the two fighters have since developed a friendship and occasionally train together. Whittaker has therefore seen Adesanya’s abilities up close, both as an opponent and as someone who has become more familiar with him outside competition.
The upcoming contest against Magomedov represents an important opportunity for Adesanya to end his losing streak and remind the middleweight division of what he can still do. Magomedov, meanwhile, will be looking to add another major victory to his record against one of the division’s most recognisable former champions.
For Whittaker, the matchup ultimately comes down to which version of Adesanya steps into the Octagon.
He believes the former champion has the striking skills to defeat Magomedov, but maintaining his concentration and composure throughout the contest will be essential. UFC Saudi Arabia takes place on December 5 at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, with Israel Adesanya facing Shara Magomedov in the main event.
