Robert Whittaker, who dominated the UFC middleweight division in early 2019, had high hopes of testing himself against Jon Jones. After his successful rise from welterweight to middleweight, Whittaker held the undisputed title and was looking to unify his belt against Israel Adesanya. Beyond that, he envisioned a potential showdown with Jones, the celebrated fighter at light heavyweight, as a way to elevate his career further.
Whittaker’s journey to the top included winning an interim title by defeating Yoel Romero, and later becoming the full champion when Georges St-Pierre vacated the middleweight belt. Rather than dropping back down to welterweight, Whittaker planned on staying at 185 pounds and possibly moving up to challenge Jones.
Ambitions to Challenge Jon Jones Amid Title Unification Plans
After his injury delayed a title defense against Kelvin Gastelum, Whittaker expressed his commitment to clashing with Israel Adesanya to unify the middleweight championship. Speaking on Submission Radio in April 2019, he also openly welcomed the idea of facing Jon Jones, despite knowing the difficulty ahead.
Whittaker emphasized his confidence in surprising observers with his skill set and intensity, suggesting that he could offer Jones a highly competitive fight. He described his approach in the Octagon as unpredictable, full of “tricks,” and believed that his energy would present challenges for Jones.
I’m gonna fight Adesanya, then I’ll be a little free myself, I’ll definitely move up, not down. But if he’s (Jones) looking for opponents, that’s a fight, that’s a great fight. I think I could just give him a run for his money. I surprise a lot of people and I’m full of tricks, and I think the intensity I bring into a fight is something that a lot of people aren’t prepared for.
—Robert Whittaker
He also acknowledged Jones’ elite status, stating,
But he’s a great fighter, he’s super, super dangerous, I’m under no illusion how hard it would be, and yeah, I think it would be fun.
—Robert Whittaker
Dana White’s View on Potential Matchups With Jon Jones
After Whittaker’s loss to Adesanya at UFC 243, the spotlight shifted to Adesanya’s pursuit of multi-division titles, including talks of a clash with Jon Jones. UFC president Dana White has been cautious about fighters leaving their primary divisions to chase other belts but showed approval for the possibility.
White described the back-and-forth challenges between Adesanya and Jones as “a really big fight,” highlighting Adesanya’s well-rounded striking and improved wrestling skills. White praised Adesanya’s ability to fight effectively both standing and on the ground, making the matchup intriguing.
Those guys have been talking smack back and forth. If Israel wins, and he really does want to fight Jon Jones, that’s a really big fight.
—Dana White
He added,
Israel Adesanya, obviously has been huge. He’s a good-looking kid, he speaks well, and his fighting style is unbelievable.
He’s got great kicks, knees, punches, elbows, and he’s worked on his wrestling. If he can stop you from taking him down, (and) if he gets taken down, he pops right back up.
—Dana White
The Unfulfilled Chance for Whittaker and the Shifting Landscape
Although Jon Jones vacated the light heavyweight title before Adesanya attempted to move up and challenge for that belt, Whittaker’s direct opportunity to face Jones never materialized. Adesanya’s attempt to capture the light heavyweight crown ended in a loss to Jan Blachowicz in 2021, leaving the anticipated cross-division battles unresolved.
Whittaker remains a respected figure in the UFC, known as “Bobby Knuckles,” who has demonstrated his determination and resilience throughout his career. His belief in being able to surprise even the best fighters continues to fuel discussions around potential fights with top contenders like Jones.
What This Means for the Future of UFC Matchups
Whittaker’s confidence in his ability to challenge Jon Jones, despite the unfavorable odds, reflects the competitive spirit that drives elite UFC athletes. While a match between the two has not yet happened, their reputations and ambitions keep fans speculating.
The shifting dynamics of UFC divisions, including title vacancies and fighter movements, suggest that future opportunities for Whittaker to test himself against different champions might arise. As the sport evolves, the prospect of such high-profile bouts remains a compelling narrative for followers of mixed martial arts.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What did Jon Jones test positive for?
A. During the hearing, it was shown that Jones tested positive for clomiphene and letrozole metabolites. These chemicals are found in Tadalafil, a drug Jones admitted to using for erectile dysfunction.
Q. What has Jon Jones tested positive for?
A. He failed a drug test for Turinabol, which is a type of anabolic steroid. Because of this, Jones was temporarily suspended.