Former middleweight champion Rob Whittaker says he can't wait to get back into the Octagon following his UFC 243 loss to Israel Adesanya, but admits he 'didn't like' being champion.
Australia's first UFC champ lost his belt early last month, with Adesanya becoming New Zealand's first title holder in the promotion in the process.
Whittaker appeared on Ariel Helwani's MMA Show on Tuesday, opening up on how he recovered from that loss and the toll being champ took on him.
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The 28-year-old said bouncing back from the loss, "was super hard," but he was, "well and truly over it by about a week and a half."
In a tumultuous reign at the top of the 185lbs division, fate seemed to conspire against the Sydney-sider on several occasions
Whittaker claimed the interim belt with a unanimous decision win over Yoel Romero, later being promoted to champion following Georges St-Pierre's vacation.
Injury and illness kept him out of a fight with Luke Rockhold in Perth, before he managed to best Romero via split decision in a rematch.
A fight with Kelvin Gastelum in Melbourne was then called off at the last minute after Whittaker required emergency surgery on an abdominal issue.
He then lost the belt on home soil at UFC 243, continuing his tough run in Australia.
On top of the troubles with his body, Whittaker said the commitments required of the champ began to distract him.
"I didn't really like (being champion) that much," Whittaker told Helwani.
"It comes with some pros but the cons really started distracting me.
"There was a lot of media and a lot of expectations and a lot of self-imposed pressure. It didn't agree with me super well.
"I like the fight, I like the challenge, I like the next opponent, I like just trying to work out how I'm going to beat you and I love being the underdog."
Now, without the burden of the belt, Whittaker said he is hoping to take his family to Europe where a possible meeting with Darren Till awaits.
Both fighters have said they're keen to meet, with an event slated for London in March the obvious choice.
"I am hungrier than ever," he said.
"Honestly, I can say that. I am excited for the next fight, I am excited for what the future brings and I just cannot wait to get back in there."
As for tempting fate and fighting in Australia again?: "I'd like to fight elsewhere," Whittaker said.
"The last couple of times I've had fights set up here and there's pressures behind them and the way some have fallen through - I'm a little jinxed it seems.
"Part of the perks of the job is being able to fight all over the world and I'd like to experience that."
