UFC middleweight contender Robert Whittaker has said he enjoyed climbing to the top more than fighting as a champion.
“I don’t really miss the championship days,” Whittaker told The MMA Hour. – I miss those fees (laughs). This is the only thing I miss from that time. Actually, I enjoyed climbing, racing more. I liked it when I went up from 6th to 5th. From 3rd to 2nd. This is what gave me pleasure. More than when I was a champion. When I held the title, I no longer had the same fire. It’s all psychology.”
On February 12, Whittaker will face Israel Adesanya for the middleweight title in the main event of UFC 271 in Houston.