Robert Whittaker wants Brendan Allen to face Khamzat Chimaev rather than Dricus du Plessis
Robert Whittaker says Brendan Allen should fight Khamzat Chimaev after his UFC Vegas 122 win, and wants Dricus du Plessis to face Gregory Rodrigues instead.
Robert Whittaker has named Khamzat Chimaev as the opponent he would like to see Brendan Allen face next, even though Allen has been pushing for a fight with Dricus du Plessis.
Allen submitted Christian Leroy Duncan in the fifth round at UFC Vegas 122 on Saturday. He has now won four in a row and is 11-2 since 2022. His losses in that run came against Anthony Hernandez and Nassourdine Imavov. Allen wants du Plessis as a route to a middleweight title shot.
Speaking on his MMArcade Podcast, Whittaker called Allen against Chimaev a curious matchup. He said Allen would reduce Chimaev's reach advantage and is the more accomplished striker. He also said Allen's jiu-jitsu could disrupt Chimaev's top control.
Chimaev beat du Plessis in a title fight at UFC 319. He then lost his first defence to Sean Strickland at UFC 328 in May, the first defeat of his career. Chimaev wants a rematch, but Strickland has publicly complained about his pay from the UFC.
Whittaker also wants to keep du Plessis free for Gregory Rodrigues, a fight he expects to be a slugfest. Whittaker said: “Doesnt Dricus vs. Robocop sound way better?” He added: “It’ll be a beautiful slugfest at the highest level and that is something I want to tune in for. Neither guy is winning from that fight, they’re going to have to really whack it out.” Whittaker said he no longer thinks about returning to middleweight to face the current contenders. He said light heavyweight offers a better training routine and lifestyle, and that enjoying his career and bringing his children along matters to him. He said: “I am happy with the work that I did there, but no, I’m happy that that chapter is over, we have turned the page, and I’m a light heavyweight now.”
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