Robert Whittaker 'would love to fight Sean Strickland'

Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has been calling for a fight against fellow former titleholder Sean Strickland most of the year. 

"I feel like we’ve both been in that top sort of the pond for a while circling each other,” Whittaker said during an appearance on the "On Paper with Anthony Smith" podcast in February. “I feel like for whatever reason we haven’t been matched up, but we’ve both been in proximity for a while. It’s most likely the fight to make. I’m excited by that fight. I look at his style and I find it curious. I find it exciting to try and work out. He’s a tough dude. He's a tough dude, but I’m really proud in my skill set and confident in my skill set.”

In February, Strickland was coming off a loss to then-champion Dricus du Plessis, and Whittaker was coming off a loss to current titleholder Khamzat Chimaev. Strickland hasn't fought since the loss to Du Plessis partially because he was suspended. Whittaker suffered a second loss in a row to Reinier de Ridder in July.

Strickland is ranked No. 3 in the division and recently said he only wants fights that are going to get him closer to a title shot against rival Chimaev. A win over Whittaker wouldn't hurt even with "The Reaper" being ranked No. 9. If Whittaker had his way, he'd face "Tarzan" on next year's UFC fight card at the White House.

"I would love to fight Sean Strickland in front of the White House," Whittaker told FOX Sports Australia. "For one, I think that's going to be a monumental occasion. When are you ever going to be able to fight in front of the White House ever again?

"I've been trying to fight Sean for the longest of times just because I like that fight. We've been in the same circles for a while," Whittaker continued. "He's still ranked three, which puts me right back in a conversation that I want to be a part of, and I think it'll be a fun fight. I think it'll be a good fight to watch.