Robert Whittaker Disputes Kelvin Gastelum’s Claim That He’s Been in a Lot of Wars

The latest season of “The Ultimate Fighter” kicked off last week with UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker featured alongside Kelvin Gastelum as rival coaches.

The UFC has confirmed the pair will fight for the title in the future. However, no date has been given, as Whittaker is currently recovering from a broken hand he sustained in his last fight against Cuban powerhouse Yoel Romero, which he won by split decision at UFC 225.

After Whittaker and Gastelum were confirmed as the coaches for Season 28 of “TUF,” Gastelum commented on the champion’s fragility, claiming that he’d been through too many wars, particularly in his two fights with Romero.

Whittaker spoke to reporters recently during a media day and dismissed Gastelum’s comments. He believes that he’s actually one of the few fighters that doesn’t get hit much despite being in some very tough and close fights. (via MMAFighting.com)

“I’d like to think that I’m one of the few guys who hasn’t been in a lot of wars,” Whittaker said. “I haven’t been hit that much. My last couple fights have been pretty hard, but look at the opponents and the caliber I’m going up against.

“I think he’s telling himself that to make himself feel better,” Whittaker continued. “Because there are some bad guys out there that couldn’t put me away, that couldn’t touch me, and I walked through them.”

Whittaker said his relationship with Gastelum on the set of “TUF” was professional, and they both respected each other.

“What am I going to do, walk up to him and say ‘What are you saying about me?’” Whittaker said.

“To be honest, on the show, in regards to that, me and him, we stayed on each other, we were very civil, he was very respectful to me, and after that I showed that back to him. You show respect to me and I give respect to you. It wasn’t fun being around an opponent that whole amount of time, especially when you’re going to fight him eventually, but it is what it is.”