Sean Strickland dismisses possible Robert Whittaker clash after UFC Saudi Arabia: “I will wait”

Sean Strickland declines Robert Whittaker No. 1 contender fight
In a recent tweet, Strickland shut down the possibility of facing Whittaker next.

I keep getting asked to fight whittaker. I beat Izzy, the world knows I beat dricus.

Whittaker lost to both.

I am the number 1 contender, I defended that spot easily against Costa.

I will wait…..

— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) June 25, 2024

“I keep getting asked to fight [Robert] whittaker,” Strickland tweeted. “I beat Izzy, the world knows I beat dricus. Whittaker lost to both. I am the number 1 contender, I defended that spot easily against Costa.

“I will wait…..”

Strickland and Whittaker are both hoping for rematches, regardless of the du Plessis vs. Adesanya result. Whittaker lost to du Plessis at UFC 290 by TKO and has two losses on his record against Adesanya.

Strickland pulled off one of the biggest upsets in UFC history when he dethroned Adesanya at UFC 293. He’s defeated the likes of Abus Magomedov, Nassourdine Imavov, and Jack Hermansson during his UFC tenure.

While a matchup with Whitaker makes sense for both sides, Strickland isn’t backing down from his holding pattern, and time will tell if his plan pays off.