Coach Speak: Trainer Alex Prates Says Robert Whittaker’s Next Fight Will Be a Title Shot

Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream the UFC live on your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app.

Two days after rewarding Robert Whittaker with a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, head coach Alex Prates talked exclusively with Sherdog Brazil correspondent Marcelo Alonso.

Prates discussed what is next for his charge, and revealed that there is no current agreement to face Paulo Costa.

“Robert never picked opponents. If it will be Costa for interim belt or Israel Adesanya for the linear belt, it's a UFC decision. All we know is that the next fight will be for a UFC title.”

Prates, who represents Gracie Academy in Australia, also opined on how Whitaker would fare in a rematch with Adesanya and confirmed his fighter’s interest in a potential boxing match against Rugby star Paul Gaulen, who just defeated Mark Hunt and challenged Whitaker.