Last month, a frustrated Gegard Mousasi put the majority of the UFC middleweight division on blast, criticizing its elite players for not accepting a fight with him. One fighter who took a hit in the Dutchman’s scathing rant was Australian contender Robert Whittaker, who has been enjoying a bit of time off with family in the first months of the new year. Apparently, Mousasi isn’t impressed by the Australian’s hiatus.
“[Robert] Whittaker wants to go on holiday for seven months,” Mousasi told FOX Sports back in January. “I don’t know what he’s up to. I’m looking for a fight.”
On a recent episode of Submission Radio, Whittaker responded to this jab from Mousasi, explaining that he feels no guilt about enjoying some time off with his family, and that he’ll happily fight the Dutchman when he’s ready to return to competition.
“I’m happy to fight after April,” he said. “If I have to fight sooner I will, but you know, I think April is a good time. Looking at dates after April I think are good for me because my family would have settled down, and I heard Mousasi say that I’m having a long holiday – and I am, I am, I’m enjoying it. It’s not up to him when I’m gonna stop my holiday.”
“I think people that know me know I’m not scared of anyone. I’m not ducking anyone. I’ll fight him very well after my bloody holiday.”
Since his criticism of Whittaker, of course, Mousasi has been booked for a fight with former champ Chris Weidman, which will go down at UFC 210 in Buffalo, New York. During his appearance on Submission Radio, Whittaker assured that he’s happy to watch Mousasi and Weidman duke it out while his vacation winds down.
“I’m happy to let them slug it out,” he said. “I’m happy to let them just throw down with each other. I’m not going anywhere. I’m here. Every time I’m not fighting I’m just increasing my skillset and just getting better at what I do and I’m getting more efficient at my training. So if I get them beforehand or I get to them after, it doesn’t bother me. I’ll end up getting to everyone.”
Who do you think would win a fight between Robert Whittaker and Gegard Mousasi? Sound off, PENN Nation!
This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 2/17/2017.