IBF heavyweight champion Jai Opetaia has spoken out about the fight between former UFC middleweight titleholder Robert Whittaker and Hamzat Chimaev.
Whittaker had previously had several practice sparring sessions with Opetaia in preparation for his upcoming fight.
"Robert has been doing his thing for a long time, he's been at the top for a long time. He has earned the right to fight other top fighters. I'm happy for him. The hard work has to pay off.
Rob has had a lot of high-profile fights already. He knows what it all takes. He knows the feeling of loneliness on the way to the top," Opetaia told Submission Radio.
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Recall that Whittaker and Chimaev will fight on October 26 at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi, UAE.