Robert Whittaker Comments on Potential Match-Up With Luke Rockhold at UFC 213

Speaking at the UFC on FOX 24 post-fight press conference (via MMAjunkie), UFC middleweight fighter Robert Whittaker was asked about a potential fight with Luke Rockhold at UFC 213 in July. Whittaker was not completely dismissive of the fight, but he was in no rush to say yes either. At last night’s event, Whittaker knocked out top-ranked competitor, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, in one of the biggest wins of his career. The win puts Whittaker that much closer to a shot at the belt.

Speaking on a potential bout with former UFC middleweight champion Rockhold, Whittaker stated, “It’s news to me. It’s cool, but it’s too fresh. I’ve got to get back home to my kids, I’ve got to see my wife. Let me see my family first. It’s a bit rushed. It’s too much to process at once.” He added later, “I’m on my title run. I’m on my run (and) I want that belt.”

The question came up after MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani tweeted out that Luke Rockhold said he’d be up for a potential match-up with Whittaker at UFC 213, which is set for July 8. You can check out that tweet below.

Former middleweight champion @LukeRockhold just reached out to me to say he's down to fight Robert Whittaker at UFC 213 on July 8.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 16, 2017

Previously, Luke Rockhold revealed he was offered to replace Kelvin Gastelum against Anderson Silva at UFC 212 in June. That bout has not been announced or confirmed by the UFC. UFC 213 is set for International Fight Week on July 8 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event will be held at the T-Mobile Arena.