Following the loss, Whittaker has bounced back in a big way, derailing three top contenders to earn another shot at the belt, while Adesanya has thrice defended the title.
In the lead up to the fight, Whittaker has willingly addressed that he let Adesanya get into his head before their first encounter and his ego got in the way of his performance.
Adesanya had noted that Whittaker was acting out of character leading into their meeting, and has since been vindicated by Whittaker's admissions.
"It was his ego, but I called it from (before) the fight," Adesanya told the Sun.
"I said, 'He's acting out of character.' And I said also, 'He's not being himself.' And people were like, 'Oh, he's such a good guy. He's such a good' (this and that). I'm like, 'He's a d***head. You guys just don't see it.'
"And now he's admitted that it was his ego that got the best of him. And I'm like, 'Well I told you so.' You should've listened to me; listen to your dad."
Whittaker said after the bout that it was the best he's ever felt heading into a fight, but the performance didn't match. Since then, he has looked at his best in three victories in which he was largely untroubled by some of the division's best.
For Adesanya, the prospect of Whittaker coming in improved from their first bout only makes the prospect more enticing.
"He said right after the fight, 'That's the best I've ever felt.' I remember that, I do not forget that," Adesanya said.
"So that was the best he's ever felt? Bet. If he can get better, I'm sure he's got better, bring the best. And I'll beat him again."