Israel Adesanya has praised rival Robert Whittaker for being “open and susceptible” about his psychological well being forward of their rematch at UFC 271.
Adesanya secured a TKO victory over Whittaker in Melbourne in 2019, taking the UFC middleweight title from the Australian within the headline bout of essentially the most highly-attended occasion within the promotion’s historical past.
Whittaker has since gained three fights in a row to arrange a rematch with the Nigerian-born New Zealander in one other main-event conflict this month.
Previous to his defeat by Adesanya, Whittaker admitted that he had been coping with melancholy for a few years. After the combat, the 31-year-old additionally opened up about experiencing burnout.
“I haven’t heard an excessive amount of about it, however yeah, good on him for being open and susceptible,” Adesanya informed The Impartial in an unique interview this week.
In a uncommon second of empathy for his rival, whom he has mocked for the perfect a part of three years, Adesanya continued: “That’s what makes you robust: being susceptible. I do know this as a result of I do that on a regular basis, I’m tremendous susceptible with my feelings – on-camera, off-camera.
“So yeah, good on him for bringing that to the forefront. It’s step one, I assume, in getting over it or studying easy methods to cope with it and handle it.
“Accepting it and sharing it sort of offers different folks permission to do the identical.”
Israel Adesanya (proper) evades a punch from Robert Whittaker at UFC 243
(Getty Photographs)
Since beating Whittaker to develop into UFC middleweight champion, Adesanya has efficiently defended the belt thrice – most lately towards previous foe Marvin Vettori.
Previous to that match-up in June, Adesanya skilled the primary lack of his skilled MMA profession as he was outpointed by then-light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz in March.
Whittaker, in the meantime, has earned choice wins towards contenders Darren Until, Jared Cannonier and Kelvin Gastelum since shedding the title to Adesanya.
UFC 271 will happen on 12 February in Houston, Texas.
Israel Adesanya is an envoy for Stake.com, one of many main and fastest-growing cryptocurrency betting and gaming operators worldwide.
Kaynak: briturkish.com
