Robert Whittaker on Derek Brunson, ‘I know my striking will make him wrestle’

Sydney’s Robert Whittaker (16-4) will be taking a short flight into Melbourne this week to headline his first ever UFC card, versus Derek Brunson (16-3) at UFC Fight Night 101.

It’s been six months since the 25-year-old Australian last entered the Octagon, where he eased past Rafael Natal at UFC 197 in Las Vegas. Whittaker’s long pause between fights was due to surgery on his right hand.

“I needed a little bit of bone taken out,” said Whittaker to Bloody Elbow. Whittaker then stated that, after rehab with strength and conditioning coach Justin Lane, the hand is was, “better than ever.” Leading up this surgery Whittaker would often break his hand in training camps and/or leave fights with a…