Former Rugby League Player Paul Gallen Calls Out UFC Star Robert Whittaker

He's certainly not shy about calling people out.

Cross-code megastar Sonny Bill Williams has been on Paul Gallen's hit list for a while now, but it appears the ex-NRL star's attention has now turned to another well-known athlete from this part of the world.

After defeating mixed martial arts great Mark Hunt via unanimous decision over six rounds, Gallen called out another UFC fan favourite in his post-fight interview.

The former Cronulla Sharks and New South Wales Blues captain looked down the camera and sent a strong message to Robert Whittaker, demanding a boxing bout against the former UFC middleweight champ.

"What's next? Rob Whittaker," Gallen said when asked about his future plans.

"I watched you about a year ago in an interview and you were asked if you would fight me. He said 'yeah I would fight him but he wouldn't fight me' and you gave a condescending laugh.

"I'm here mate, I'm happy to meet you in here, but stop pricing yourself out of it.

"I've got respect for Rob - I know him reasonably well. But I'm just going to beat him.

"I'll beat him like I beat Mark (Hunt), I'm going to train hard, prepare for it, have a game plan, get in there and smash him."

But the call-out didn't stop when Gallen's ring interview concluded.

Even during the post-fight press conference, the 39-year-old wanted to ensure that he wasn't joking when it came to lacing up the gloves against the Aussie UFC star.

"He laughed, in a way that annoyed me," Gallen explained to the media.

"I thought 'stuff you, you condescending p****, you know? I'll fight ya."

The incident Gallen is referring to comes from a podcast Whittaker did at the start of the year with Grange TV.

When asked by host Fabricio Itte if he'd go toe-to-toe with Gallen or SBW in a boxing or MMA match, 29-year-old Whittaker simply said: "100%, assuming that my contract allowed it and everything was in place for both of us to be looked after then of course I would - but I don't think they would".

Followed by a cheeky giggle from the Ultimate Fighter television show winner.

But it appears Whittaker's laugh didn't sit too well with Gallen and the former rugby league skipper wants to make him pay for it.

But while an all-Aussie bout could be pretty mouth-watering for fight fans, it's highly unlikely that Dana White would sign off on it - after all, Whittaker is still under contract with the UFC and on track to getting another title shot against Israel Adesanya.

Some reports even suggest he could face former number one contender Paulo Costa in early 2021.

Topics: Boxing News, Robert Whittaker, Paul Gallen, UFC News, MMA News, Boxing, Mark Hunt, Rugby League, nrl, UFC, Australia, MMA

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry