The hype surrounding Kiwi-Nigerian UFC fighter Israel Adesanya is undeserved, according to Australian Robert Whittaker.
With Adesanya, 29, to take on Kelvin Gastelum in April for an interim middleweight title, Whittaker stands to face the winner of that belt to unify the UFC's middleweight division.
As Adesanya's outspoken nature is winning plaudits both at home and abroad, Whittaker has come out saying that any plaudits going the Kiwi-Nigerian's way don't quite fit the bill.
"I think Adesanya isn't as good as he thinks he is," Whittaker told GrangeTV.
"I think he's very good - very, very good - and I have a lot of respect for his skillset, 100 per cent. He's a dangerous guy.
"But I don't think the pedestal that he's on is as high as everyone else thinks it is, and he thinks it is."
Hooker said Adesanya has reached new heights for a Kiwi in the UFC and that he’s reaping the benefits financially. (Source: Other)
However, Whittaker also said that he'd prefer to face off with Adesanya, backing him to defeat Gastelum.
"I'd like to fight Adesanya. One, he's been asking for it. And two, I like that fight, I like the way he fights.
"He's a distance fighter, he likes to utilise his striking, which agrees with me. I'm a distance fighter, but I close distance really fast and I hit very hard. I think I'd surprise him."
Adesanya will face Gastelum at UFC 236 on April 14 in Atlanta.
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