Robert Whittaker on potential Luke Rockhold fight at UFC 213: 'It's a bit rushed'

Robert Whittaker won’t let anything bring him down from the high of defeating Ronaldo Souza at UFC on FOX 24. That includes a callout from a former UFC champion.

Following Whittaker’s (18-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC) second-round TKO win over Souza (25-4 MMA 7-2 UFC) on Saturday’s FOX-televised main card at Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo., former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold (15-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) made it known he wants the next fight with “The Reaper” (via Twitter):

Rockhold hasn’t fought since he lost the 185-pound belt in a first-round knockout to current champion Michael Bisping at UFC 199 in June 2016. He was scheduled to fight “Jacare” in November’s UFC Fight Night 101 main event but was forced to withdraw due to an injury, and the event was ultimately headlined by Whittaker, who earned a first-round TKO win over Derek Brunson.

The Souza victory was the biggest of Whittaker’s career and moved “The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes” winner to 6-0 since he returned to the UFC middleweight division in November 2014. He was a sizable underdog to “Jacare,” but his takedown defense and striking were on point and helped him become the first since 2008 to stop Souza inside the distance.

Rockhold was apparently “impressed” by Whittaker’s performance and said he would like a matchup to take place at UFC 213, which takes place July 8 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas with the main card on pay-per-view following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.

Fresh off his triumphant performance, though, Whittaker didn’t seem overly enthusiastic about the idea of fighting Rockhold. “Bobby Knuckles” didn’t dismiss it entirely, but when asked following UFC on FOX 24, he obviously hadn’t given it much thought.

“It’s news to me,” Whittaker said. “It’s cool, but it’s too fresh. I’ve got to get back home to my kids, I’ve got to see my wife. Let me see my family first. It’s a bit rushed. It’s too much to process at once.”

Whittaker’s ultimate plan for his future includes winning the UFC middleweight belt. However, with champion Bisping tied up in a fight with Georges St-Pierre for the foreseeable future, the title is on hold, and contenders such as Whittaker must continue to fight in order hold on to their position in the rankings.

In most weight classes, dismantling a proven foe such as Souza would set up a title shot, but at 185 pounds, Whittaker said he knows it’s just part of his journey toward the championship.

“I’m on my title run,” Whittaker said. “I’m on my run (and) I want that belt.”

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