that plateau is obviously still really high so its hard to knock him.

but the fact that whittaker was getting better and closing the gap as the rounds wore on and started finding more success with that same lead/double left (that the commentators were rightfully calling predictable) says a lot.

i feel like a truly dynamic champ in his prime would have really put an emphatic cap on the rivalry. instead he left room for discussion of a 3rd fight (with many believing whittaker could have a chance to win).