Caio Borralho: Robert Whittaker very close to retiring, 'doesn't want to be there anymore'
Whittaker (26-9 MMA, 17-7 UFC) lost a split decision to Reinier de Ridder (21-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) last week in the UFC on ABC 9 main event at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The former UFC champion lost two straight for the first time at middleweight, and is no longer ranked in the top five.
Although Whittaker put on a good performance – including a Round 3 knockdown of De Ridder, Borralho doesn't see too much fight left in him.
"I don't think so," Borralho told The Schmo on Whittaker returning to the top five. "Robert Whittaker is a f*cking legend. I'm a big fan of him and all that he's done in the sport. (He's) one of the GOATs in the middleweight (division). But right now, I feel that it seems like he doesn't want to be there anymore.
"His face says that. His body expressions say that. I don't think he wants to go there and do, like, a five-round war again. I don't believe that. With all due respect to him, I'm a big fan – but right now, it's just not his moment anymore. I think he's very close to retire or something like that."
Borralho (17-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) will look to emerge as No. 1 contender when he takes on Nassourdine Imavov (16-4 MMA, 8-2 UFC) in the UFC Fight Night main event Sept. 6 in Paris, France.
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