Two of Australia’s top combat sports athletes locked horns in Sydney on Friday when former UFC middleweight champ Robert Whittaker and cruiserweight boxing star Jai Opetaia shared the ring for a willing sparring session.
Several years ago, there was talk the two could meet in a big-money boxing blockbuster, although timing and Whittaker’s UFC contract ultimately saw it fall through.
Friday’s session, preparing both men for big fights next month, saw the pair trade blows for four rounds, before former rugby league player Curtis Scott jumped in for three with Opetaia.
Whittaker is due to face Khamzat Chimaev in their rescheduled bout at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi on October 27, while Opetaia is preparing to defend his IBF and The Ring cruiserweight world titles against Jack Massey in Riyadh on October 13.
At their respective weigh-ins, they’ll be around seven kilograms apart - 185lb (83.9kg) for Whittaker, and 200lb (90.7kg) for Opetaia.
For Whittaker, the fight with Chimaev shapes as another opportunity to strengthen his case for a world title shot.
The Sydneysider’s striking has long been among the best in the 185lb division but he had to pay tribute to Opetaia’s boxing skills following their session at Doyle Boxing Club in southern Sydney.
“He’s one of the best in the world, easily,” Whittaker told Sporting News.
“I’m privileged to be able to spar him just because of how much I can gain out of it.
“No one in my division in the UFC has better pure boxing striking than he does.
“To be able to work with him, I can see things that he’s taking advantage of, he exposes all my weaknesses and I get to sharpen and hone my reflexes and eyes and timing.
“I’m coming into his playground. I’m boxing a world champion in a boxing ring, it would be arrogant of me to just think I’m going to come in here and walk over him.
“That’s the plan though, I’m trying to get myself to a level where I can do that but I know that every hard session like this - I’m a big believer that iron sharpens iron - just makes me better.”
It’s not the first time Whittaker has worked with Australia’s best pugilists - back in 2021, he and Tim Tszyu got some rounds in.
“Very different fighters. Both super high-level guys,” Whittaker said.
“Tim’s lighter than I am, so that in itself has a kind of different feel to the sparring, whereas with Jai, we’re the same weight category.
“He’s really good at fighting tall, using his range, he’s sharp, he’s fast. He’s very good at what he does.”
Whittaker’s dedication to all aspects of mixed martial arts has seen him learn from and train alongside experts in all disciplines and his session with Opetaia was just the start as he looks to become the first person to defeat the feared Chimaev.
“Every camp I try to better my striking, being able to spar with guys like this, to hone my eyes and reflexes, it’s the best thing,” he said.
“Next week, I’m going to be kickboxing with Charlie Bubb, he’s a world champion as well, so I’m going to get better for that as well, it’s cool.”
As for the unbeaten Opetaia, he’s looking to turn back the challenge of the hungry Englishman and retain his place right at the top of the 200-pounders.
“He’s a crafty dude in that ring. It’s always good to mix it up,” Opetaia said of Whittaker.
“We’re world class in that ring, when you’re doing boxing sparring with us, you’ve got to rise, you’ve got to be on your game.
“I feel like it can help him with his confidence too. If he can mix it up in there and move in the ring with us, his standup must be alright, which it is.
“Obviously, he’s got to watch out for a lot more than just punches [in MMA], he adapts well, he’s comfortable in the ring, he holds himself well, in and outside of the ring. I’ve got a lot of respect for Rob.”
Opetaia also admitted to being taken aback by the skill and presence of Scott during their three rounds.
Scott is 3-0 in the boxing ring and has claimed the scalps of fellow ex-footballers Joey Leilua and Barry Hall since making the switch to the sport, having been exiled from rugby league after being found guilty of assaulting and threatening his former partner.
“He surprised the f*** out of me!” Opetaia said.
“He honestly surprised me, I was sort of thinking we’ll box around a little bit but he’s a knucklehead, he’s not afraid to get hit, he just kept coming forward, throwing a lot of punches.
“I was like, ‘What the hell? I thought he was a footy player.’
“He boxed well. I always say respect is earned in the ring, he earned my respect today, he gave me some honest rounds.
“I’d move around with him again for sure.”
