A crushing defeat seems to annoy UFC Abu Dhabi Headliner Robert Whittaker more than the rest.
Whittaker is preparing to take the walk again in the middle, while he returned to the site of his devastating setback nine months ago.
At UFC 308 in the Etihad Arena of Abu Dhabi, Whittaker was quickly submitted by Khamzat Chimaev, who locked up a horrible face crank that moved the front teeth of the Australian former champion.
Despite the nature of that loss, it is another defeat that has 'the Reaper' who wants a chance for a do-over.
Robert Whittaker wants redemption against Dricus du Plessis before retiring
During an appearance on the Ariel Helwani show on Uncrowned, Whittaker saw his return to action on July 26, going into his illustrious MMA career for the last “a few years”.
With a victory over Reinier de Ridder on Saturday, 'The Reaper' hopes to start setting up his claim for a shot to regain the middleweight gold. But it is not only the title with which he focuses on his current holder, Drus Du Plessis.
“I would like to fight against him again (du plessis). That would be the icing on the cake,” said Whittaker.
“To be honest, I think I'm better than he is. I think I'm better than everyone, even if I lose, right? It is especially that I left myself in our first link in that fight, and I want to correct that. I didn't have the right head room to beat him.
“I want to correct that more than all my other losses,” Whittaker added. “That is the fight that I didn't like to feel that way.”
Whittaker was eliminated by Du Plessis on UFC 290 in 2023, a result that the South African only saw the second man who beat 'The Reaper' in the middleweight behind only Israel Adesanya.
Robert Whittaker will keep a close eye on UFC 319
With those comments in mind, if he appears the victor from the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi, the Australian belong to the intrigued viewers for the next middleweight title fight.
Two of the former opponents of Whittaker will collide with the gold on the line in just a few weeks, where Du Plessis defends against Chimaev in the main event of UFC 319.
The map goes on August 16 in the United Center in Chicago.