Discussions are ongoing for a superfight which would pit former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker against IBF cruiserweight world champion Jai Opetaia.
Whittaker on Sunday morning (AEST) defeated Marvin Vettori via unanimous decision at UFC Paris to reaffirm his status as the number one contender to Israel Adesanya’s title.
According to those with knowledge of the situation, the 31-year-old Australian has one more fight on his current contract, potentially allowing him to squeeze in a boxing bout before resuming his mission to recapture UFC gold.
Opetaia’s promoter Dean Lonergan told Sporting News discussions were ongoing with Whittaker’s manager.
“I believe he’s spoken to Rob and Rob’s keen to have a crack at it,” Lonergan said.
Whittaker's manager Titus Day confirmed to Sporting News it was a fight the MMA star "would love to make happen."
Following his epic 12-round world title win over Mairis Briedis in July, Opetaia now holds the IBF cruiserweight belt, meaning any fight he takes at that weight (90.7kg) would need to be against a contender ranked in the top 15 with that organisation.
That would see organisers look to hold the Opetaia-Whittaker bout at a catchweight.
“We’d probably do the fight at about 95-96kg because that way Jai’s world title belt will be unaffected at that weight,” Lonergan said.
“Rob’s one of the premier UFC fighters in the world so it would be great to see how he’d go against the number one cruiserweight in the world, Jai Opetaia.”
Whittaker fights at 185lbs (84kg) in the UFC, but, prior to cutting weight, walks around comfortably over 90kg.
The bout would garner plenty of interest locally and internationally and could net both men north of $2 million each.
Whittaker’s boxing is considered among the best in the UFC and the Sydneysider has previously sparred with Opetaia and world title challenger Tim Tszyu, although taking on a world champion in a professional bout with 10-ounce gloves is an entirely different proposition.
Opetaia is undefeated across 22 fights with 17 knockouts.
The 27-year-old is currently sidelined, still unable to chew food after having surgery to repair his badly broken jaw suffered in the win over Briedis.
The potential bout is currently earmarked for March, giving Opetaia time to heal and allowing Whittaker to fight out his deal with the UFC.
