Jump to content

Robert Whittaker (fighter)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Robert Whittaker
Whittaker in 2024
BornRobert John Whittaker[1]
(1990-12-20) 20 December 1990 (age 33)
Ōtāhuhu, Auckland, New Zealand
Other namesThe Reaper
Bobby Knuckles
ResidenceSydney, Australia
Height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight186 lb (84 kg; 13 st 4 lb)
Division
Reach73+1⁄2 in (187 cm)[2]
Fighting out ofSydney, Australia
Team
Teacher(s)
  • Henry Perez[8]
    Justin Fitzgerald[7]
RankBlack belt in hapkido[2]
Black belt in karate[2]
Black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Alex Prates[9]
WrestlingAustralian national team for freestyle wrestling[10]
Years active2009–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total34
Wins26
By knockout10
By submission5
By decision11
Losses8
By knockout3
By submission2
By decision3
SpouseSofia Whittaker
Websitehttps://www.robwhittaker.co/
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Robert John Whittaker (born 20 December 1990) is an Australian professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is a former UFC Middleweight Champion and the first Australian to win a UFC championship. As of 29 October 2024, he is #4 in the UFC middleweight rankings.[11]

A professional MMA competitor since 2009, Whittaker was a contestant on the first series of The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes and won the welterweight tournament.[12] Whittaker became interim middleweight champion after winning the title at UFC 213; he was promoted to undisputed champion after Georges St-Pierre vacated the UFC Middleweight Championship in 2017.

Background

[edit]

Whittaker was born at Middlemore Hospital in Ōtāhuhu, Auckland, New Zealand.[13][14] His father is an Australian of European descent and his mother is of Samoan and Māori ancestry.[15][16] Moving to Australia shortly after, Whittaker's father enrolled Robert, aged seven, and his brother in a Goju-ryu karate school, to encourage them in self-discipline and self-defence.[17][18] After training in the discipline for around eight years, and earning his black belt, his father offered him the chance to change to another sport or drop karate entirely. While his brother decided to drop out, Robert chose to switch to a hapkido[19] gym run by Henry Perez, following his move to Menai.[17][20] Not long afterwards, Perez transformed his gym into an MMA gym. Having no other choice, Whittaker began training in MMA and was immediately hooked, choosing MMA as his preferred sport over rugby league.[18] Whittaker was a talented rugby league player in his younger years and was placed in the development academy of the professional Cronulla Sharks club as a youth.[21]

Whittaker prefers not to engage in trash-talk outside of the octagon:

I'm the type of fighter that goes into every fight with no ill will towards my opponent. I'm an athlete first and foremost and I love the sport.[22]

Mixed martial arts career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

In 2008, Whittaker signed with Australia's Xtreme Fighting Championships and made his debut 14 March 2009 against fellow pro debutant Chris Tallowin. Whittaker won the fight via TKO in the first round.[23] Whittaker continued his career with Cage Fighting Championships, going 6–0 inside the promotion from 2009 to 2011, with a notable win over fellow TUF: Smashes cast member, Ben Alloway.[24]

On 30 October 2011, Whittaker lost his first fight when he travelled to Cotai, Macau for Legend Fighting Championships 6: he fought Hoon Kim and lost via submission in the first round.[24] Whittaker bounced back from the loss and won two consecutive bouts before suffering his second loss to Jesse Juarez, which brought his overall record to 9–2.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

[edit]

The Ultimate Fighter

[edit]

In 2012, Whittaker's coach, Henry Perez, put him forward for the first series of The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes,[25][18] which pitted a team of eight Australians against a team of eight men from the United Kingdom, and he was selected as one of the cast members.[26]

In his first fight on the show, Whittaker fought Luke Newman. Whittaker landed a punch flush on the chin of Newman after 19 seconds, knocking him unconscious for several minutes. The win moved him onto the semi-final round.[27] The knockout also earned Whittaker an additional $25,000 for "Knockout of the Season".[28]

In the semi-final, Whittaker was matched against replacement fighter and fellow Team Australia teammate, Xavier Lucas. Whittaker won via knockout at 1:17 in the first round. The win moved Whittaker into the final round of the competition, which would take place live on UFC on FX: Sotiropoulos vs. Pearson.[29]

Early UFC fights

[edit]

Whittaker made his UFC debut on 15 December 2012 at UFC on FX 6, which was also known as "The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes Finale". He would fight Brad Scott to determine the welterweight winner of The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes. Whittaker won the fight via unanimous decision to become the first winner of The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes alongside Norman Parke, who was the lightweight winner.[30]

Whittaker faced Colton Smith on 25 May 2013 at UFC 160.[31] He won the fight by TKO in the third round.[32]

Whittaker faced Court McGee on 28 August 2013 at UFC Fight Night 27.[33] He lost the fight via split decision.[34]

Whittaker was expected to face Brian Melancon on 7 December 2013 at UFC Fight Night 33.[35] However, Melancon pulled out of the bout citing an injury and subsequently retired. As a result, Whittaker was removed from the card.[36]

Whittaker faced Stephen Thompson on 22 February 2014 at UFC 170.[37] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.[38]

Whittaker faced Mike Rhodes on 28 June 2014 at UFC Fight Night 43.[39] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[40]

Move to middleweight

[edit]

Whittaker faced Clint Hester in a middleweight bout on 8 November 2014 at UFC Fight Night 55.[41] He won the back-and-forth fight via TKO in the second round. The win also earned Whittaker his first Fight of the Night bonus award.[42]

Whittaker faced Brad Tavares on 10 May 2015 at UFC Fight Night 65.[43] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[44] The win also earned Whittaker his first Performance of the Night bonus award.[45]

Whittaker was expected to face Michael Bisping on 15 November 2015 at UFC 193.[46] However, Bisping pulled out of the fight on 30 September, citing an elbow injury, and was replaced by Uriah Hall.[47][48] Whittaker defeated Hall by unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, and 29–28).[49]

Whittaker next faced Rafael Natal on 23 April 2016 at UFC 197.[50] Whittaker won the back and forth fight via unanimous decision.[51]

Whittaker faced Derek Brunson on 27 November 2016 at UFC Fight Night 101.[52] He won the back and forth fight via first-round TKO.[53] The win also earned him the Performance of the Night and the Fight of the Night bonus awards.[54]

Whittaker faced Ronaldo Souza on 15 April 2017 at UFC on Fox 24.[55] He won by second-round TKO and in the process became the first person to finish Souza since 2008.[56] The win also earned Whittaker his third Performance of the Night bonus award.[57]

UFC Middleweight Champion

[edit]

Whittaker fought for the interim middleweight title against Yoel Romero on 8 July 2017 at UFC 213, after Michael Bisping announced a nagging knee injury which would go on to keep him on the sidelines for several months.[58] Whittaker won by unanimous decision, and became the first Australian and first New Zealand born fighter to hold a UFC title.[12][59] This win earned him the Fight of the Night bonus award.[60] He missed the remainder of 2017, as he was recovering from a medial knee injury to his left leg.[61]

On 7 December 2017, then middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre vacated the title after being diagnosed with colitis.[62] As a result, Whittaker was promoted to undisputed champion.[63] He was slated for his first title defence at UFC 221 against former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold on 10 February 2018 at Perth Arena in Australia.[64][65] On 13 January 2018, it was reported that Whittaker had pulled out of the event due to an undisclosed injury and would be replaced by Yoel Romero for the interim middleweight championship. The winner of this bout would then face Whittaker in a unification bout.[66] On 20 January 2018, Dana White confirmed that Whittaker was in a serious condition after he was not properly treated from a staph infection in his stomach.[67]

A rematch with Romero took place on 9 June 2018 at UFC 225.[68] At the weigh-ins, Romero missed weight, coming in at 186 lbs, 1 pound over the middleweight limit for a title fight. Romero was given additional time to make weight, but he weighed in at 185.2 lbs, 0.2 lbs over the title fight limit. Romero was fined 20% of his fight purse and the fight was contested as a non-title catchweight bout.[69][70] Whittaker won the fight by a close split decision. Their fight was awarded with 'Fight of The Night' honours. As Romero had failed to make weight, Whittaker received a $100,000 bonus, which would normally have been shared by both fighters.[71]

In July 2018, the UFC announced that Whittaker and Kelvin Gastelum had been selected as coaches for Ultimate Fighter 28.[72] On 2 November 2018, it was announced that Whittaker's next middleweight title defence would be against Kelvin Gastelum, in February at UFC 234.[73] However, Whittaker pulled out of the event a few hours beforehand after he was forced to undergo emergency dual surgery immediately, due to an abdominal hernia of the intestine and a twisted and collapsed bowel.[74]

Whittaker faced interim middleweight champion Israel Adesanya on 6 October 2019 at UFC 243.[75] He lost the bout and the championship via second-round knockout.[76]

Post-Middleweight Championship

[edit]

Whittaker was scheduled to face Jared Cannonier on 7 March 2020 at UFC 248.[77] However, on 15 January 2020, it was announced Whittaker pulled out of the bout for undisclosed reasons.[78] In late April 2020, Whittaker revealed in an interview that he withdrew from the bout and training altogether due to burnout.[79]

Whittaker faced Darren Till on 26 July 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Till.[80] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[81]

Whittaker faced Jared Cannonier on 24 October 2020 at UFC 254.[82] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[83]

Whittaker was scheduled to face Paulo Costa on 17 April 2021 at UFC on ESPN 22.[84] However, on 16 March Costa withdrew from the fight due to illness,[85] and he was replaced by Kelvin Gastelum.[86] Whittaker won the fight via unanimous decision.[87] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[88]

A rematch between Whittaker and Adesanya for the UFC Middleweight Championship took place on 12 February 2022 at UFC 271.[89] Whittaker lost the bout via unanimous decision.[90]

Whittaker was scheduled to face Marvin Vettori on 11 June 2022 at UFC 275.[91] However, Whittaker withdrew for undisclosed reasons.[92] The pair was rescheduled to meet at UFC Fight Night 209 on 3 September 2022.[93] Whittaker won the fight via unanimous decision.[94]

Whittaker was scheduled to face Paulo Costa on 12 February 2023, at UFC 284.[95] However, Costa disputed the official announcement by the promotion indicating he had never signed a contract and the fight would not take place.[96]

Whittaker faced Dricus du Plessis in a UFC Middleweight title eliminator fight on 8 July 2023, at UFC 290.[97] In an upset, he lost the fight via technical knockout in the second round.[98]

Whittaker faced Paulo Costa on 17 February 2024, at UFC 298.[99] After surviving a head kick at the end of the first round, Whittaker rebounded and won the bout by unanimous decision.[100]

Whittaker was scheduled to face Khamzat Chimaev on 22 June 2024, at UFC on ABC 6.[101] However, Chimaev withdrew due to illness and was replaced by Ikram Aliskerov.[102] He defeated Aliskerov by knockout in the first round.[103] This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.[104]

Whittaker ended up facing Khamzat Chimaev on 26 October 2024 at UFC 308.[105] He lost the fight via a face-crank submission in the first round resulting in a dislocated jaw.[106]

Freestyle wrestling career

[edit]

Whittaker began competing in freestyle wrestling in 2015, when he unexpectedly entered the Australia Cup in Canberra. He won each of his three bouts.[107] Also at the 2015 Australia Cup, Whittaker flagged the possibility of potentially representing Australia in Olympic or Commonwealth wrestling competitions.[108] He returned to the wrestling mat in May 2017 at the Australian National Wrestling Championships and won the gold medal in the 97 kg (213 lbs) division.[109] After winning the national championship, Whittaker entered Australia's 2018 Commonwealth Games 97 kg qualifying tournament in November 2017. He would once again claim first place in his division and in doing so qualified to represent Australia in the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast,[110][111] the city in which he made his UFC debut. Following his qualification, Whittaker made it clear he would only compete in the Commonwealth Games if the event did not interfere with his UFC commitments.[112] It was confirmed in March 2018 that Whittaker would be one of eight Australians to compete in the Commonwealth Games wrestling competition in April 2018.[113] However, Whittaker was forced to withdraw from the Games less than three weeks from the event in order not to risk being stripped of his UFC championship title, as the UFC was concerned that an injury incurred during the Commonwealth Games would render him unable to compete for the middleweight championship at UFC 225 against Yoel Romero on 9 June 2018.[114]

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]

General

[edit]

Mixed martial arts

[edit]

Freestyle wrestling

[edit]
  • Australia Cup
    • Winner – 97 kg (2015)
  • Australian National Wrestling Championships
    • Gold medal – 97 kg (2017)
  • Commonwealth Games
    • Qualified – 97 kg (2018)

Personal life

[edit]

Whittaker and his wife Sofia have three sons,[127] and a daughter.[128][129] Whittaker also has legal guardianship of his younger half sister and brothers.[130]

Representing both Australia and New Zealand

[edit]

Whittaker once stated in an interview, "Pretty much all my mother's side is Kiwi and we have a strong Maori heritage." He said further, "I feel really privileged to have that Maori blood and link to my past. I got my tattoo out of respect to that."[131] Whittaker was born in New Zealand and moved to Australia when he was one month old. As stated in an interview, "My mother wanted to have me back home, so she came back. After I was born we came back to Australia. It's half of who I am, is Maori, and my mum's roots go back to Samoa."[16] When asked about his nationality in an interview with the Australian TV programme The Project, he declared that he had an Australian passport but added that he felt as if he represented both countries as an MMA fighter.[22][132]

I'm blessed to be in this position – every time I walk into the octagon I feel like I'm representing Australia and New Zealand. It's the highest honour and the highest privilege.[133]

In an interview with GQ Australia, he stated:

I am immensely proud to be an Australian and to be a pioneer in the sport to, you know, lead, lead today's MMA scene against all these other countries, you know, it really, it really does light me up, to see that the Australian flag when I walk out, you know, to hear them called out that I'm Australian and I am very patriotic. I am really proud of my country and proud of where I am from.[134]

Youth clinics for community service

[edit]

Whittaker has held clinics for youths in his spare time at his home gym, Gracie Jiu Jitsu Smeaton Grange, and also visited several remote Australian Indigenous youth communities at inland New South Wales. Through this community service, he hopes to inspire the younger generation to take up combat sports by being a good role model to them. Whittaker has said "I want to be a good role model for young up-and-coming athletes, and I want to be a role model to men in general. If I could affect a kid, then this whole journey is amazing. To help them to have some sort of a career path in the sport and fitness industry, and if I could do that for one kid even that would make my day."[135]

Mixed martial arts record

[edit]
Professional record breakdown
34 matches 26 wins 8 losses
By knockout 10 3
By submission 5 2
By decision 11 3
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 26–8 Khamzat Chimaev Submission (face crank) UFC 308 26 October 2024 1 3:34 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Win 26–7 Ikram Aliskerov KO (punches) UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov 22 June 2024 1 1:49 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Performance of the Night.
Win 25–7 Paulo Costa Decision (unanimous) UFC 298 17 February 2024 3 5:00 Anaheim, California, United States
Loss 24–7 Dricus du Plessis TKO (punches) UFC 290 8 July 2023 2 2:23 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States UFC Middleweight title eliminator.
Win 24–6 Marvin Vettori Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa 3 September 2022 3 5:00 Paris, France
Loss 23–6 Israel Adesanya Decision (unanimous) UFC 271 12 February 2022 5 5:00 Houston, Texas, United States For the UFC Middleweight Championship.
Win 23–5 Kelvin Gastelum Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Gastelum 17 April 2021 5 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 22–5 Jared Cannonier Decision (unanimous) UFC 254 24 October 2020 3 5:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Win 21–5 Darren Till Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Till 26 July 2020 5 5:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Loss 20–5 Israel Adesanya KO (punches) UFC 243 6 October 2019 2 3:33 Melbourne, Australia Lost the UFC Middleweight Championship.
Win 20–4 Yoel Romero Decision (split) UFC 225 9 June 2018 5 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States Non-title bout; Romero missed weight (185.2 lb). Fight of the Night.
Win 19–4 Yoel Romero Decision (unanimous) UFC 213 8 July 2017 5 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Won the interim UFC Middleweight Championship. Fight of the Night. Later promoted to undisputed champion.
Win 18–4 Ronaldo Souza TKO (head kick and punches) UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Reis 15 April 2017 2 3:28 Kansas City, Missouri, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 17–4 Derek Brunson TKO (head kick and punches) UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Brunson 27 November 2016 1 4:07 Melbourne, Australia Performance of the Night. Fight of the Night.
Win 16–4 Rafael Natal Decision (unanimous) UFC 197 23 April 2016 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 15–4 Uriah Hall Decision (unanimous) UFC 193 15 November 2015 3 5:00 Melbourne, Australia
Win 14–4 Brad Tavares KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Miocic vs. Hunt 10 May 2015 1 0:44 Adelaide, Australia Performance of the Night.
Win 13–4 Clint Hester TKO (knee and punches) UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Bisping 8 November 2014 2 2:43 Sydney, Australia Middleweight debut. Fight of the Night.
Win 12–4 Mike Rhodes Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Te Huna vs. Marquardt 28 June 2014 3 5:00 Auckland, New Zealand
Loss 11–4 Stephen Thompson TKO (punches) UFC 170 22 February 2014 1 3:43 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 11–3 Court McGee Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann 2 28 August 2013 3 5:00 Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Win 11–2 Colton Smith TKO (punches) UFC 160 25 May 2013 3 0:41 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 10–2 Brad Scott Decision (unanimous) UFC on FX: Sotiropoulos vs. Pearson 15 December 2012 3 5:00 Gold Coast, Australia Won The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes Welterweight Tournament.
Loss 9–2 Jesse Juarez Decision (unanimous) CFC 21 18 May 2012 5 5:00 Sydney, Australia For the CFC Welterweight Championship.
Win 9–1 Shaun Spooner TKO (punches) SFA 13 23 March 2012 1 4:01 Perth, Australia Won the SFA Welterweight Championship.
Win 8–1 Ian Bone TKO (punches) CFC 19 9 December 2011 1 3:15 Sydney, Australia
Loss 7–1 Kim Hoon Submission (triangle choke) Legend FC 6 30 October 2011 1 3:01 Macau, SAR, China
Win 7–0 Corey Nelson Submission (armbar) CFC 18 26 August 2011 1 4:40 Sydney, Australia
Win 6–0 Ben Alloway Submission (rear-naked choke) CFC 17 3 June 2011 1 4:07 Gold Coast, Australia
Win 5–0 Nate Thomson Submission (rear-naked choke) CFC 15 8 October 2010 1 2:21 Sydney, Australia
Win 4–0 Jay Cobain Submission (armbar) CFC 14 5 June 2010 1 0:32 Sydney, Australia
Win 3–0 Nick Ariel KO (punch) CFC 12 12 March 2010 1 2:50 Sydney, Australia
Win 2–0 Richard Walsh Submission (rear-naked choke) CFC 11 20 November 2009 1 2:40 Sydney, Australia
Win 1–0 Chris Tallowin TKO (punches) XFC 14 14 March 2009 1 N/A Perth, Australia Welterweight debut.

[136]

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

[edit]
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 2–0 Xavier Lucas TKO (punches) The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes 28 November 2012 (airdate) 1 1:17 Sydney, Australia The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes Semi-final round.
Win 1–0 Luke Newman KO (punches) 3 October 2012 (airdate) 1 0:19 The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes Quarterfinal round.

Pay-per-view bouts

[edit]
No. Event Fight Date Venue City PPV Buys
1. UFC 213 Romero vs. Whittaker 8 July 2017 T-Mobile Arena Las Vegas, Nevada, United States 150,000[137]
2. UFC 225 Whittaker vs. Romero 2 9 June 2018 United Center Chicago, Illinois, United States 250,000[138]
3. UFC 243 Whittaker vs. Adesanya 6 October 2019 Marvel Stadium Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Not Disclosed[139]
4. UFC 271 Adesanya vs. Whittaker 2 12 February 2022 Toyota Center Houston, Texas, United States Not Disclosed[140]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Akpodonor, Gowon (26 September 2019). "Adesanya, Whittaker UFC fight pits New Zealand against Australia". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d "Robert Whittaker | UFC". UFC.com. 14 September 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  3. ^ "UFC 225 main-event breakdown: Can Yoel Romero dethrone Robert Whittaker in rematch?". MMAjunkie. 6 June 2018. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  4. ^ Von Philip Ferraro (3 July 2017). "Whittaker believes he'll be champion, and that's the least of his expectations". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
  5. ^ "Robert Whittaker Makes History At UFC 213". Sport.ONE. 17 July 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  6. ^ Mahoney, Katrina (11 June 2018). "Whittaker edges split decision over Romero at UFC 225". EMG MMA. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  7. ^ a b Tullis, Ashleigh (7 December 2016). "UFC star Robert Whittaker has a new coach in his corner". Campbelltown-Macarthur Advertiser. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  8. ^ Staff, I. B. T. (6 September 2019). "Robert Whittaker – A True Legend". International Business Times AU. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  9. ^ admin (12 December 2020). "Robert Whittaker Promoted To Black Belt By Alex Prates". bjjtribes.com.
  10. ^ Woods, Melissa (2 March 2018). "UFC champ Robert Whittaker leads Comm Games wrestlers". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  11. ^ "UFC Rankings | UFC.com". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  12. ^ a b "NZ-born Robert Whittaker makes UFC history by beating Cuban Yoel Romero". Stuff. 9 July 2017. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  13. ^ "UFC: Robert Whittaker excited to put New Zealand MMA in spotlight in title unification bout against Israel Adesanya". The New Zealand Herald. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  14. ^ "Robert Whittaker- The Halfcast Podcast Ep #06". YouTube (Podcast). The Halfcast Podcast. 7 February 2018. Event occurs at 10:28. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  15. ^ "Robert Whittaker's unlikely rise from houso kid to UFC champ". Financial Review. Christopher Joye. 4 October 2019. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  16. ^ a b Allen, Ian (14 January 2017). "Time for UFC fighter Robert Whittaker to reap the rewards". Sunday Star Times. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  17. ^ a b "Legend Fighting Championships – Fighters – Robert Whittaker". legendfc.com. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  18. ^ a b c 20FOUR (22 June 2017), ROB WHITTAKER – PART 1 – THE NEW COMER, retrieved 20 July 2017{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  19. ^ GQ Australia (15 April 2016), Rob Whittaker: Modern Day Gladiator | GQ | UFC197, retrieved 20 July 2017
  20. ^ "Robert Whittaker – The Ultimate Fighter". tuf.tv. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  21. ^ "Meet the five UFC 221 fighters who grew up playing The Greatest Game of All". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  22. ^ a b Bungard, Matt (15 July 2017). "UFC interim middleweight champion Robert Whittaker's star rises after Romero fight". The Age. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  23. ^ "Fight Finder". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  24. ^ a b "ROBERT WHITTAKER "THE REAPER"". Sherdog.
  25. ^ "Cast Announced for TUF Smashes". ufc.com. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  26. ^ Sankey, Daniel (12 September 2012). "Meet the Australian fighters in TUF: The Smashes". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  27. ^ "TUF 'The Smashes' Episode 3 Recap: Action in the House Heats Up". MMAWeekly.com. 3 October 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  28. ^ "Whittaker, Fletcher, Scott and Alloway each score $25K 'TUF' season bonuses". MMAJunkie.com. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  29. ^ Potter, Andrew (28 November 2012). "TUF 'The Smashes' Episode 11 Recap: Welterweight Final is Set After a Strong Finish". mmaweekly.com. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  30. ^ McCarter, Nathan. "UFC on FX 6 Results: Why Robert Whittaker vs Brad Scott Stole the Show". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  31. ^ "'TUF' champs Robert Whittaker and Colton Smith join UFC 160 lineup". MMAJunkie.com. 3 March 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  32. ^ "UFC 160 results/photos: Robert Whittaker stops Colton Smith in 'TUF' battle". mmajunkie.com. 26 May 2013. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  33. ^ Staff (5 June 2013). "'TUF' winners Court McGee vs. Robert Whittaker added to UFC on FOX Sports 1 2". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  34. ^ Tim Burke (28 August 2013). "UFC Fight Night 27 results: Court McGee takes decision over Robert Whittaker". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  35. ^ Staff (2 October 2013). "Robert Whittaker vs. Brian Melancon added to UFC Fight Night 33 in Australia". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  36. ^ Matt Erickson (20 November 2013). "Brian Melancon injury scraps bout with Robert Whittaker from UFC Fight Night 33 in Australia". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  37. ^ Matt Erickson (18 December 2013). "UFC 170 adds Stephen Thompson vs. 'TUF' winner Robert Whittaker". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  38. ^ Dave Doyle (22 February 2014). "UFC 170 results: Stephen Thompson finishes off Robert Whittaker". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
  39. ^ Staff (5 May 2014). "UFC Fight Night 43 gets Whittaker-Rhodes". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  40. ^ Matt Erickson (28 June 2014). "UFC Fight Night 43 results: Robert Whittaker cruises past Mike Rhodes". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  41. ^ Matt Erickson (11 September 2014). "Five bouts, including Hester-Whittaker, added to UFC Fight Night 55 in Australia". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  42. ^ a b Staff (8 November 2014). "UFC Fight Night 55 bonuses: Rockhold, Smolka, Whittaker, Hester win $50,000". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  43. ^ Staff (17 February 2012). "UFC Fight Night 65 official for Australia with Hunt-Miocic, Tavares-Whittaker, more". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  44. ^ Thomas Myers (10 May 2015). "UFC Fight Night 65 results: Robert Whittaker flattens, finishes Brad Tavares in 44 seconds". mmamania.com. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  45. ^ Staff (10 May 2015). "UFC Fight Night 65 bonuses: With 10 finishes in 12 fights, who got $50,000?". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  46. ^ Damon Martin (19 August 2015). "Michael Bisping vs. Robert Whittaker targeted for UFC 193 in Australia". foxsports.com. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  47. ^ Elias Cepeda (30 September 2015). "Michael Bisping injured, out of UFC 193". foxsports.com. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  48. ^ Damon Martin (1 October 2015). "Uriah Hall replaces Michael Bisping, faces Robert Whittaker at UFC 193". foxsports.com. Retrieved 1 October 2015.
  49. ^ Matt Erickson (14 November 2015). "UFC 193 results: Robert Whittaker outshines Uriah Hall for unanimous decision". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  50. ^ John Morgan (8 February 2016). "Rafael Natal meets Robert Whittaker at UFC 197". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
  51. ^ Dave Doyle (23 April 2016). "UFC 197 results: Robert Whittaker wins slugfest over Rafael Natal". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  52. ^ Marc Raimondi (21 September 2016). "Derek Brunson gets quick turnaround, faces Robert Whittaker at UFC Fight Night 101". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  53. ^ Steven Marrocco (27 November 2016). "UFC Fight Night 101 results: Robert Whittaker stops Derek Brunson in wild back-and-forth brawl". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  54. ^ a b Tristen Critchfield (27 November 2016). "UFC Fight Night 101 bonuses: Robert Whittaker pockets $100K for first-round TKO". sherdog.com. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  55. ^ Guilherme Cruz (4 March 2017). ""Jacare" Souza vs. Robert Whittaker set for UFC on FOX 24". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  56. ^ Damon Martin (16 April 2017). "Robert Whittaker stuns 'Jacare' Souza with brutal second-round TKO". foxsports.com. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
  57. ^ Staff (15 April 2017). "UFC on FOX 24 bonuses: History maker Demetrious Johnson among the night's winners". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 15 April 2017.
  58. ^ "Romero-Whittaker interim title fight to co-headline UFC 213; Nunes-Shevchenko is main event". MMAjunkie. 24 May 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  59. ^ Bungard, Matt (9 July 2017). "UFC 213: Robert Whittaker wins UFC interim middleweight title". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  60. ^ a b "UFC 213 bonuses: Robert Whittaker, Yoel Romero take Fight of the Night honors". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  61. ^ Peter Carroll (21 July 2017). "Robert Whittaker suffered grade two medial ligament injury to left knee at UFC 213". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  62. ^ Davidson, Neil (7 December 2017). "Georges St-Pierre gives up UFC middleweight title after colitis diagnosis". The Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  63. ^ Ariel Helwani (7 December 2017). "Georges St-Pierre vacates UFC middleweight title; Robert Whittaker crowned undisputed champion". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  64. ^ "Whittaker vs Rockhold set for UFC 221 main event". UFC. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  65. ^ "Georges St-Pierre vacates; Robert Whittaker vs. Luke Rockhold title fight set for UFC 221". MMAjunkie. 8 December 2017. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  66. ^ "UFC bombshell: Whittaker out of Rockhold defence". PerthNow. 13 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  67. ^ "Dana White: Robert Whittaker in 'serious condition' after mistreated staph infection in stomach". MMAjunkie. 21 January 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  68. ^ Brett okamoto (9 March 2018). "UFC targets Robert Whittaker, Yoel Romero title rematch in June". espn.com. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  69. ^ Warren, Adrian (8 June 2018). "Whittaker robbed of UFC title defence as Romero fails to make weight". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  70. ^ "Champ Robert Whittaker, Yoel Romero agree to non-title bout at UFC 225". MMAjunkie. 8 June 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  71. ^ a b Lee, Alexander K. (10 June 2018). "UFC 225 bonuses: Robert Whittaker, Yoel Romero win Fight of the Night again". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  72. ^ "Whittaker's Ultimate Fighter nod a 'huge honour'". www.dailytelegraph.com.au. 7 July 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  73. ^ Wells, Adam. "Robert Whittaker to Defend UFC Middleweight Title in Fight vs. Kelvin Gastelum". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  74. ^ "Robert Whittaker Emerges from Emergency Dual Surgery". MMAWeekly.com. 10 February 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  75. ^ Andrew Richardson (20 June 2019). "Midnight Mania! Whittaker Vs. Adesanya Is Set!". mmamania.com. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  76. ^ "UFC 243 results, highlights: Israel Adesanya claims middleweight crown with violent TKO of Robert Whittaker". CBSSports.com. 6 October 2018.
  77. ^ "Whittaker's next UFC bout confirmed". www.dailytelegraph.com.au. 20 December 2019. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
  78. ^ Nolan, King (15 January 2020). "Robert Whittaker out of UFC 248 fight against Jared Cannonier". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  79. ^ Nick Walshaw (28 April 2020). "UFC 2020: Robert Whittaker breaks silence on UFC absence". dailytelegraph.com.au.
  80. ^ Iskenderov, Parviz (29 May 2020). "Robert Whittaker vs Darren Till to headline July 25 card on UFC Fight Island". FIGHTMAG. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  81. ^ Anderson, Jay (25 July 2020). "UFC Fight Island 3 Results: Robert Whittaker Wins Close One Against Darren Till". Cageside Press. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  82. ^ "Robert Whittaker next fight: Aussie UFC star to meet Jared Cannonier at UFC 254". www.sportingnews.com. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  83. ^ Doherty, Dan (24 October 2020). "UFC 254 Results: Robert Whittaker Wins in Great Fight Against Jared Cannonier". Cageside Press. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  84. ^ Alexander, Mookie (25 January 2021). "Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa set for UFC main event on April 17". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  85. ^ Guilherme Cruz (16 March 2021). "Paulo Costa ill, unable to fight Robert Whittaker at April 17 UFC event". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  86. ^ Brett Okamoto (16 March 2021). "Sources: Kelvin Gastelum to replace Paulo Costa, fight Robert Whittaker on April 17". Espn.com. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  87. ^ Mercado, Eddie (18 April 2021). "UFC Vegas 24 results: Robert Whittaker outclasses Kelvin Gastelum in decision win". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  88. ^ a b John Morgan (18 April 2021). "UFC on ESPN 22 bonuses: Robert Whittaker, Kelvin Gastelum deliver 'Fight of the Night'". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  89. ^ Marc Raimondi (12 December 2021). "Israel Adesanya to defend UFC middleweight title against Robert Whittaker on Feb. 12". espn.com. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  90. ^ Anderson, Jay (13 February 2022). "UFC 271: Israel Adesanya Fends Off Whittaker Takedowns, Retains Title in Rematch". Cageside Press. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  91. ^ Mookie Alexander (10 March 2022). "Robert Whittaker vs. Marvin Vettori agreed for UFC 275". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  92. ^ Damon Martin (20 April 2022). "Robert Whittaker out of UFC 275; Marvin Vettori calls for fights against Darren Till or Khamzat Chimaev". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  93. ^ "UFC rebooks Robert Whittaker vs. Marvin Vettori for Paris event". MMA Junkie. 31 May 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  94. ^ Dewar, Val (3 September 2022). "UFC Paris: Robert Whittaker Proves He's Still A Top Contender, Takes Decision Over Vettori". Cageside Press. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  95. ^ Damon Martin (20 October 2022). "Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa booked for UFC 284 in Australia". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  96. ^ Nolan King (19 December 2022). "'They should stop being petty': Paulo Costa vs. Robert Whittaker reportedly off the table for UFC 284". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  97. ^ "Robert Whittaker vs. Dricus Du Plessis added to UFC 290; Dana White says winner gets Israel Adesanya". MMA Junkie. 21 April 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  98. ^ Dewar, Val (8 July 2023). "UFC 290: Dricus Du Plessis Stuns the World, TKOs Robert Whittaker". Cageside Press. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  99. ^ Sherdog.com. "Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa, Ian Garry vs. Geoff Neal Added to UFC 298 Lineup". Sherdog. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  100. ^ Jay Anderson (18 February 2024). "UFC 298: Robert Whittaker Survives Head Kick, Battles Back Against Paulo Costa". Cageside Press. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  101. ^ Martin, Damon (28 March 2024). "Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whittaker set as UFC Saudi Arabia main event, 4 more fights announced". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  102. ^ Mike Bohn (13 June 2024). "Khamzat Chimaev out; Robert Whittaker vs. Ikram Aliskerov set as new UFC on ABC 6 headliner". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  103. ^ Anderson, Jay (22 June 2024). "UFC Saudi Arabia: Robert Whittaker Makes Quick Work of Ikram Aliskerov". Cageside Press. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  104. ^ a b Taylor, Chris (22 June 2024). "UFC Saudi Arabia Bonus Report: Robert Whittaker one of four 'POTN' winners". BJPenn.com. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  105. ^ Mike Bohn (3 August 2024). "UFC books Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whittaker again for UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  106. ^ Jay Anderson (26 October 2024). "UFC 308: Khamzat Chimaev Dominates, Forces Quick Tap from Robert Whittaker". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  107. ^ 2015 Australia Cup Results
  108. ^ Wrestling Australia (25 July 2015). "Australian UFC wrestler Robert Whittaker". Retrieved 22 June 2019 – via YouTube.
  109. ^ "Australian Wrestling Championships Results – May 2017" (PDF). Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  110. ^ "Robert Whittaker Commonwealth Games 2018: UFC interim middleweight champion qualifies for Australian wrestling team". 25 November 2017. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  111. ^ Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (26 November 2017). "Wrestling Athlete: Rob Whittaker". Retrieved 22 June 2019 – via YouTube.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  112. ^ "Whittaker nears Comm Games wrestling debut". Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  113. ^ Woods, Melissa (2 March 2018). "UFC champ Robert Whittaker leads Comm Games wrestlers". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  114. ^ "Whittaker Off Commonwealth Games After UFC Threatens To Strip His Title". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  115. ^ Thomas Gerbasi (5 January 2019). "THE TEN BEST FIGHTS OF 2018". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
  116. ^ "UFC Fight Night 65 bonuses: With 10 finishes in 12 fights, who got $50,000?". MMAjunkie. 10 May 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  117. ^ Sherdog.com. "UFC Fight Night 101 Bonuses: Robert Whittaker Pockets $100K for First-Round TKO". Sherdog. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  118. ^ "UFC on FOX 24 bonuses: History maker Demetrious Johnson among the night's winners". MMAjunkie. 16 April 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  119. ^ a b c d e "UFC Middleweight – Stats". UFC.com. 8 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  120. ^ "The 2017 'Fighter of the Year' Is ..." MMAmania.com. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
  121. ^ "MMA Junkie's Fight of the Month for February: Middleweight contenders net another bonus". mmajunkie.com. 29 February 2024.
  122. ^ Sherdog.com. "Sherdog.com's 2017 Fighter of the Year". Sherdog. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  123. ^ MMADNA.nl (18 January 2018). "MMA DNA Fighter of the Year 2017". MMA DNA. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  124. ^ DNA, MMA (18 January 2019). "MMA DNA UFC Awards 2018 : De Uitslagen!!!". Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  125. ^ "BJPENN.COM's Scraps of the Month for June 2018 - BJPenn.com". www.bjpenn.com. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  126. ^ Bryan Tucker (4 July 2018). "World MMA Awards 2018 Results". mmafighting.com.
  127. ^ "Whittaker reveals true extent of pain". Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  128. ^ Bradford, Brendan. "UFC 225: Inside fight week with Robert Whittaker's coach". Sporting News. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  129. ^ Scott, Aaron. "Build Cage-Ready Muscle With UFC Star Robert Whittaker". Men's Health. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  130. ^ "#1 Robert Whittaker opens up about his life on Grange TV – YouTube". www.youtube.com. 13 February 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  131. ^ Stanley, Ben. "'Mozzie' UFC fighter gets kick out of Kiwi roots". www.stuff.co.nz.
  132. ^ "New Zealand-born Robert Whittaker ready to step into UFC spotlight in maiden main event". Stuff. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  133. ^ MMAFightingonSBN (15 April 2017), UFC on FOX 24 Post-Fight Press Conference: Robert Whittaker – MMA Fighting, retrieved 20 July 2017
  134. ^ GQ Australia (15 April 2016), Rob Whittaker: Modern Day Gladiator| GQ UFC197, retrieved 20 July 2017
  135. ^ Darren Gal (9 July 2017), UFC Star Robert Whittaker Visits Indigenous Communities, retrieved 20 July 2017
  136. ^ Sherdog.com. "Robert". Sherdog. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  137. ^ "UFC 213: Romero vs. Whittaker | MMA Event". Tapology. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  138. ^ "UFC 225: Whittaker vs. Romero 2 | MMA Event". Tapology. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  139. ^ "UFC 243: Whittaker vs. Adesanya | MMA Event". Tapology.
  140. ^ "UFC 271: Adesanya vs. Whittaker 2 | MMA Event". Tapology.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Robert Whittaker (fighter).
Achievements
New title 1st UFC Interim Middleweight Champion
8 July 2017 – 7 December 2017
Promoted 		Vacant
Title next held by
Israel Adesanya
Preceded by 10th UFC Middleweight Champion
7 December 2017 – 5 October 2019 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Robert_Whittaker_(fighter)&oldid=1254068612"