Robert Whittaker Says He'd 'Love To Fight Paul Gallen In 2021'

Robert Whittaker has never been one to turn down a scrap.

So when former rugby league player Paul Gallen called him out back in December, there was absolutely no chance the UFC star would duck it.

And now the former middleweight champ has gone one step further, insisting he would "love" to throw hands with Gallen inside the ring.

Main Event

Gallen threw down the gauntlet to his fellow countryman following his upset won over mixed martial arts legend Mark Hunt.

The former New South Wales Blues and Cronulla Sharks skipper put on a tough display to earn the victory against Hunt and in his post-fight interview he let the local Bankwest Stadium crowd know exactly who he wanted to take on next.

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

And now Whittaker has responded.

"I would love to fight him in 2021," Whittaker said while appearing on the latest episode of Fox Sports Australia's UFC Fight Week.

"I find it very funny because he said 'stop pricing yourself out.' I am not pricing myself out, I already fight for a living so the numbers have to work - that's what I do for a living - I'm not doing it as just some hobby.

"So if the numbers are right, I'm happy to take that fight.

"Obviously my mind is set on the potential fight with (Paulo) Costa at the moment but after the fight if our timelines are well and the money is right then yes I'm happy to take it to him."

At 39, Gallen is certainly making making his mark on the Australian boxing circuit.

But if he can somehow blag himself a bout against UFC fan favourite Whittaker, he'd be venturing into unchartered territory altogether.

And given 30-year-old Whittaker's immaculate MMA record and elite striking, calling him out in the first place could turn out to be a bad move on Gallen's part.

Topics: nrl news, 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