Robert Whittaker and Kai Kara-France had an awkward moment when the New Zealand fighter was interviewed on a UFC pre-fight show on Fox Sports’ Fight Week.
Things were awkward as Robert Whittaker was sitting next to host Nikolai Pajarillo and UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski. Kai Kara-France came on the show to be interviewed.
The former UFC middleweight champion chose not to ask him any questions and showed little interest. He explained why later on.
“I told you at the beginning of the show I’m just going to let him do his thing,” UFC middleweight challenger Whittaker said via Fox Sports. “He’s on that side of the fence, he’s part of ‘Team Izzy’, they’re close friends and I just don’t want to get in his hair. I don’t want to fake interest in him because I’m sure he doesn’t want to be fake polite to me – it’s just two sides of the fence. My next opponent is Izzy. If Izzy wasn’t my next fight then things would be different. It’s not a rivalry in terms of actual hate and animosity, it’s just, you know, you do you, I do us and we’ll just keep it separate until after the fight.”
Kai Kara-France's Kiwi charm eventually won over Robert Whittaker. The former UFC champion couldn't help but start to like him.
“I started this interview neutral, now I kind of like him,” Whittaker laughed. “I really do hope he gets it over Cody and if you’re watching this after the fact, good luck mate, I’m rooting for you.”
It looks like Kai Kara-France will have extra motivation heading into his fight against Cody Garbrandt at UFC 269. The Kiwi will look to spoil the Ohio-born fighters flyweight debut.
Follow Us
Subscribe