Robert Whittaker rejects Brendan Allen’s challenge: ‘Let’s focus on the task at hand’

Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker thinks that Brendan Allen should prove himself more before calling out top competitors.

Allen (23-5 MMA, 11-2 UFC) is in line to face the No. 1 contender after defeating Paul Craig in the main event of UFC Fight Night 232 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas last Saturday. He expressed his desire to fight Jared Cannonier, Khamzat Chimaev and Whittaker next, but Whittaker (25-7 MMA, 15-5 UFC) believes Allen needs to do more to earn a shot at higher-ranked opponents, considering that Craig was ranked lower. “There’s still some work to be done,” he stated.

“I’m pretty sure he mentioned my name,” Whittaker said in an interview with the MM Arcade Podcast. “In his speech, he definitely indicated that he wanted to face a top contender, me or Cannonier. I think he’s currently ranked No. 10. I’m just getting back into the swing of things. I don’t know, I’m not a matchmaker.

“Paul Craig wasn’t a top 10 fighter, he wasn’t even ranked in the top 10. He’s probably still climbing the ranks. Fight top 10 opponents. Just do your job. That’s what the UFC is about. Acknowledge and recognize that. The matchmakers are there for that. I don’t know who he’s going to fight next. To be honest, I don’t care.”

Upon hearing these comments, Allen reached out to Whittaker once again.

Well, mr. @robwhittakermma, feel free to show us what those top players are like. I’ve always wanted to have ‘former champion/future Hall of Famer’ on my resume. https://t.co/OGTQIgOQZo

— Brendan Allen (@BrendanAllenMMA) November 22, 2023

Well, @robwhittakermma, feel free to tell us what your top players are like. I’ve always wanted to have ‘former champion/future Hall of Famer’ on my resume.

Allen is currently on a six-fight winning streak. Meanwhile, Whittaker suffered a TKO loss to Doricas du Plessis at UFC 290 in July. Before that, Whittaker had secured victories in four of his last five fights, including a unanimous decision win over former title challenger Marvin Vettori.

For more details on the event, visit MMA Junkie’s UFC Fight Night 232 event hub.