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Israel Adesanya Reacts To Darren Till's Loss To Robert Whittaker

Israel Adesanya Reacts To Darren Till's Loss To Robert Whittaker

The Liverpudlian lost to the former middleweight champion on Fight Island on Saturday night but there's encouraging words from the champ.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Darren Till lost at UFC Fight Night to Robert Whittaker on Saturday night, but the British fighter shouldn't be too gutted, as the middleweight champion still wants to face him.

In the final card of UFC's stay at Fight Island, Till was beaten by former champion Whittaker, going down 48-47 on all three judges cards, in a closely contested fight.

A win against Whittaker might have put the Liverpudlian in line for a shot at Israel Adesanya's middleweight title. But there's good news for Till, as the Last Stylebender took to Twitter after the fight to reveal he still wants to face the Brit.

The loss to Whittaker, who was in his first fight since dropping the title to Adesanya last year, was the Gorilla's first loss at middleweight.

After losing to Jorge Masvidal in London last year he moved up from welterweight and beat former interim title challenger Kelvin Gastelum.

A win over Australian Whittaker, the number one ranked contender in the division, certainly would have put him within reach of a challenge to Adesanya's throne.

The New Zealander is expected to take on Paolo Costa in his next defence at UFC 253, on September 19th, although that's not been confirmed yet.

Speaking after his win on Saturday, Whittaker told the post fight press conference, "Obviously there was a lot of pressures and stresses going into this fight. I'm just happy. We got the result that we came here for.

"...Honestly, I am championship level. Everyone can see that. Everyone's always known that. I wasn't myself last fight. I believe that. Not to take anything away [from Israel Adesanya], he's a great striker, but I wasn't myself last fight. I think this is a good win.

"I'm a champion without the belt, with the belt, doesn't matter. It is what it is. I'm looking forward to getting back to work and seeing how that next fight goes."

Whittaker will certainly be hoping that his win puts him next in line against whoever wins at UFC 253 whilst Till will have to get back to winning ways but at least he knows the current champ wants to face him.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Fight Island, Robert Whittaker, UFC News, MMA News, UFC 253, UFC, MMA, Darren Till, Israel Adesanya