Robert Whittaker and World Champ Jai Opetaia React to Epic Sparring Sesh, Talk Khamzat, UFC 308!

Intro well I feel really privileged and lucky to be here right now a couple of Legends here jaai obviously uh Cruiserweight champ you got a massive fight coming up in October with Jack Macy and of course one of the best UFC middleweights of all time Robert Whitaker who's a little bit like I did an interview with this guy already why do I got to just speak to him again but we got a chance to watch you guys mix it up in the ring just before I got to get a reaction from both of you like what was that experience like getting a chance to Spire each other again I know you've sparred each other around 2019 right that was your last Spar a while ago a while ago so Rob I'll go to you first what was like getting back in the ring with GI and both of you guys obviously evolved as Fighters since then yeah um he's gotten much Rob on how their sparring session just went better um honestly I think I'm I'm blessed to be able to to mix it with him because I'm a big believer of iron sharpens on and to to come here and to to jump into the ring with him and just throw hands it's it's like he he took advantage of a lot of things of a lot of weaknesses or holes that that I I recognize in hindsight that I can adjust for now that I can that I can that I can prepare for so that other people can't take advantage of those and no one in no one in my game in my division has has boxing skills like J does I believe J has better boxing skills than everybody in my division so to be able to move with him and to to use to like work on my eyes to work on my instincts to move and weave and and take shots even is uh yeah makes me better what about you Jay uh you know Rob's obviously uh broken all the records in the UFC he's uh done so many things in the game what's it like to get a chance to spar with him Jai on being in there with Rob today yeah it's awesome man um you know every time I spar with Roberts honest rounds you know you got to stay on your game otherwise you're going to get clipped so it's good you know and and it's like what he said you know you learn you're adapting to a different style you're getting more ammunition for the next time and you go back home you you you work on what you got to work on you know a couple mistakes couple times you get hit with some silly and then you got to go back you know reassess and come back better so that's what it's all about it's about rising and helping each other get to that next level so you know we're lucky that we're here in the same country and we get to do that together yeah the sport is awesome man and Rob what do you reckon of what J's been able to achieve since then obviously he's defending the belt in October and he's been able to have such a great sort of run the cruise away um since the last time I saw you guys had that podcast back on gr TV so much has changed you know what like and I On the difference between now and their last space over 5 years ago don't want to sit here and pump your tires up bro that's not what this is right but I'll say like when when I first met him I could tell he had the skill set and the talent to go as far as he wanted but what I'm what I'm most impressed about is that he stayed switched on and you can see it when he gets into the ring he stays on task you can see that he's focused he's not getting getting distracted with silly crap and honestly it's impressive and respect to you because a lot of guys young guys who get Fame and Fortune early on can't keep it together so to to be able to to do that and to just be running through people as well man like props to you bro like really yeah man obviously J what do you reckon of Rob um obviously he's been able to go in there with some of the best in the world he's got this huge fight with hamzat coming up you must be excited to see him get in Jai on Rob fighting Khamzat and his legacy in the UFC there with hamard it's one of the most looked forward to fights in MMA all year long for sure man it's um you know respect to him you know it's that same gr he he respects it is because he knows what it takes you know what I mean being at the top for so long he how many big fights has he had now you know what I mean and and and continues to be on these big fights so he knows the dedication he knows the hard work the lonely hours the the Mind Games at night you know like no you do this with people but at the same time you do it alone you know what I mean so it's that respect between Fighters when you see him at that level man it's a lonely road to get there bro so it it's respect to you too you're up the top man it's it's good to just be here you know rubbing shoulders with people that know know what it takes so I appreciate that dude hey I was laughing because do you ever get do you ever get those weird do you ever get those weird times where you think nobody knows what I'm going The boys connecting on similar experiences as champion fighters through you feel like a teenager like like nobody knows what I'm going through right now it's good to see L get it all right guys before we continue just want to Support Manscaped and NordVPN for making this interview possible quickly shout out some sponsors that make this show possible make this interview possible first off as our friends at manscape you guys could get 20% off and free shipping with a code word submission today manscape has Elite products that are going to change your game forever what about the beard hedger what about the weird whacker what about the lawn mower 5.0 that keeps your balls smooth and your game intact you can jump on manscape today and just browse all of the great products available and of course don't forget it's 20% off and free shipping today go on get some manscape in your life and support this program now and guys this month we have an exciting offer for everybody out there in submission radio land that's right nordvpn is back on board supporting the program and is offering you guys an extremely great deal click the 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if he beats hamard he'll definitely be getting that shot but um what do you reckon of this guy having a shuted boxing maybe one day I know you've spoken about it a few times what how do Jai shares thoughts on Rob boxing one day you reckon he goes yeah definitely why not you know what I mean come to boxing come I like and I it humbles me every time and I come in I come in with the expectation to be humbled it's like I come into like your world with the gloves on the head gear on in the in the ring and I see how much work goes into there and how many like little things that obviously paying a big picture because like it is a different sport and you need to respect it as such because it is it's a craft man and it's like like if I was ever going to maybe I can just like when I finish up a me just like fight footy dudes D that would be awesome I I I don't know I don't know about like Mak a proper runs but like some footy players man there obviously he's fighting Jack uh Macy J is on October man well give us a little what your what is your prediction how do you think J gets it done in Rob predicts how Jai defends his belt in October against Jack Massey October I've never been in a ring with someone that controls his space as as good as Joy does like I'm pretty tricky to pin down just because my movement I'm quick at closing the Gap as well as leaving and that gives a lot of people pause CU they don't expect how fast I can move in that in that space But I walk down that space so well and I've seen in his in his last couple fights how well he's just really gotten comfortable at controlling that spacing and that zoning for either combos uh for either counters or utilizing it to attack to pull out counters it's like it is he's really really coming to his own like it's his own style you know yeah man I love the style Rob's right and obviously Rob's got the big fight with hamzad as we wrap up how do you see Rob beating hamard on UFC 308 beat his ass Jai predicts how Rob beats Khamzat at UFC 308 man a man it's just like we said Rob's been here for a long time you know this ain't his first day in the office he belongs there you know so I'm excited for it you know the hard work's done so pump for rip in there what I love about this it's the championship mentality and how you guys connect on that so I can't wait both of you guys with huge fights both of you guys going overseas for the fight similar geographic area so yeah similar times so I appreciate you guys joining me again it was an honor watching you guys do the thing in the ring and have that Spar and thank you so much for joining me today best of luck in both of you fights he