Robert Whittaker (fighter)

Robert Whittaker
Born Robert John Whittaker
(1990-12-20) 20 December 1990
Middlemore, Auckland, New Zealand
Other names The Reaper
Nationality Australian
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Division Middleweight
Welterweight
Reach 73.5 in (187 cm)
Fighting out of Menai, New South Wales, Australia
Team PMA Super Martial Arts
Also training via: Gracie Jiu Jitsu/Wrestling Smeaton Grange - /Stand-Strong-Boxing
Rank Black belt in Hapkido[1]
Black belt in Karate[1]
Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[1]
Years active 2009–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 21
Wins 17
By knockout 8
By submission 5
By decision 4
Losses 4
By knockout 1
By submission 1
By decision 2
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Robert John Whittaker[2] (born 20 December 1990) is an Australian professional mixed martial artist of Māori heritage currently competing in the middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.[3] A professional MMA competitor since 2009, Whittaker was a contestant on the first installment of The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes and won the welterweight tournament. As of April 2016, he is #6 in the official UFC middleweight rankings.

Background

Whittaker's father, Jack Whittaker, was a believer in the values of martial arts so he enrolled Robert in karate at an early age.[4] After training in the discipline for a little over eight years, Robert switched to a Hapkido gym ran by Henry Perez.[4][5] In 2003 Perez transformed his gym into a MMA gym. Having no other choice, Whittaker began training in MMA and was immediately hooked.[4]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

In 2009 Whittaker began competing in MMA as a professional. He signed with Australia's Xtreme Fighting Championships and made his debut 14 March 2009 against fellow pro debutee Chris Tallowin. Whittaker won the fight via TKO in the first round.[6] Whittaker then started his career with Cage Fighting Championships, going 6-0 inside the promotion from 2009 to 2011, with a notable win over fellow TUF: Smashes castmate, Ben Alloway.[6]

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

The Ultimate Fighter

Whittaker was selected as a cast member for the first installment of The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes;[7] which pitted a team eight Australians versus a team of eight men from the United Kingdom.

In his first fight on the show Whittaker fought Luke Newman. Only 19 seconds into the first round Whittaker landed a punch flush on the chin of Newman, knocking him unconscious for several minutes. The win moved him onto the semi-final round.[8] The knockout also earned Whittaker an additional $25,000 for "Knockout of the Season".[9]

In the semifinal round, Whittaker was then matched against replacement fighter and fellow Team Australia teammate, Xavier Lucas. Whittaker won via knock out at 1:17 in the first round. The win moved Whittaker into the final round of the competition that would take place live on UFC on FX: Sotiropoulos vs. Pearson.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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 ever winner of The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes alongside Norman Parke, who was the lightweight winner of the show.

Whittaker faced Colton Smith on 25 May 2013 at UFC 160.[10] He won the fight by TKO in the third round.

Whittaker faced Court McGee on 28 August 2013 at UFC Fight Night 27.[11] He lost the fight via split decision.[12]

Whittaker was expected to face Brian Melancon on 7 December 2013 at UFC Fight Night 33.[13] However, Melancon pulled out of the bout citing an injury and subsequently retired. As a result, Whittaker was removed from the card as well.[14]

Whittaker faced Stephen Thompson on 22 February 2014 at UFC 170.[15] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.[16]

Whittaker faced Mike Rhodes on 28 June 2014 at UFC Fight Night 43.[17] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[18]

Whittaker faced Clint Hester in a middleweight bout on 8 November 2014 at UFC Fight Night 55.[19] He won the exciting back and forth fight via TKO in the second round. The win also earned Whittaker his first Fight of the Night bonus award.[20]

Whittaker faced Brad Tavares on 10 May 2015 at UFC Fight Night 65.[21] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[22] The win also earned Whittaker his first Performance of the Night bonus award.[23]

Whittaker was expected to face Michael Bisping on 15 November 2015 at UFC 193.[24] However, Bisping pulled out of the fight on the 30th of September citing an elbow injury and was replaced by Uriah Hall.[25][26] Whittaker won the fight by unanimous decision.[27]

Whittaker next faced Rafael Natal on 23 April 2016 at UFC 197.[28] Whittaker won the back and forth fight via unanimous decision.[29]

Whittaker faced Derek Brunson on 27 November 2016 at UFC Fight Night 101.[30] He won the back and forth fight via first round TKO.[31][32]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
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) Cage Fighting Championships 21 18 May 2012 5 5:00 Sydney, Australia For the CFC Welterweight Championship.
Win 9–1 Shaun Spooner TKO (punches) Superfight Australia 13 23 March 2012 1 4:01 Perth, Australia Won the SFA Welterweight Championship.
Win 8–1 Ian Bone TKO (punches) Cage Fighting Championships 19 9 December 2011 1 3:15 Sydney, Australia
Loss 7–1 Hoon Kim Submission (triangle choke) Legend Fighting Championship 6 30 October 2011 1 3:01 Macau, SAR, China
Win 7–0 Corey Nelson Submission (armbar) Cage Fighting Championships 18 26 August 2011 1 4:40 Sydney, Australia
Win 6–0 Ben Alloway Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage Fighting Championships 17 3 June 2011 1 4:07 Gold Coast, Australia
Win 5–0 Nate Thomson Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage Fighting Championships 15 8 October 2010 1 2:21 Sydney, Australia
Win 4–0 Jay Cobain Submission (armbar) Cage Fighting Championships 14 5 June 2010 1 0:32 Sydney, Australia
Win 3–0 Nick Ariel KO (punch) Cage Fighting Championships 12 12 March 2010 1 2:50 Sydney, Australia
Win 2–0 Richard Walsh Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage Fighting Championships 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

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Robert Whittaker - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  2. ↑ "MIXED MARTIAL ARTS SHOW RESULTS : DATE: February 22, 2014 LOCATION: Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas" (PDF). Boxing.nv.gov. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
  3. ↑ Ben Stanley (2013-06-23). "'Mozzie' UFC fighter gets kick out of Kiwi roots". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
  4. 1 2 3 "Legend Fighting Championships - Fighters - Robert Whittaker". legendfc.com. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  5. ↑ "Robert Whittaker - The Ultimate Fighter". tuf.tv. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Fight Finder". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  7. ↑ "Cast Announced for TUF Smashes". ufc.com. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  8. ↑ "TUF 'The Smashes' Episode 3 Recap: Action in the House Heats Up". MMAWeekly.com. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  9. ↑ "Whittaker, Fletcher, Scott and Alloway each score $25K 'TUF' season bonuses". MMAJunkie.com. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  10. ↑ "'TUF' champs Robert Whittaker and Colton Smith join UFC 160 lineup". MMAJunkie.com. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  11. ↑ Staff (2013-06-05). "'TUF' winners Court McGee vs. Robert Whittaker added to UFC on FOX Sports 1 2". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-06-05.
  12. ↑ Tim Burke. "UFC Fight Night 27 results: Court McGee takes decision over Robert Whittaker". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2013-08-28.
  13. ↑ Staff (2013-10-02). "Robert Whittaker vs. Brian Melancon added to UFC Fight Night 33 in Australia". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-10-02.
  14. ↑ Matt Erickson (2013-11-20). "Brian Melancon injury scraps bout with Robert Whittaker from UFC Fight Night 33 in Australia". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-11-20.
  15. ↑ Matt Erickson. "UFC 170 adds Stephen Thompson vs. 'TUF' winner Robert Whittaker". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
  16. ↑ Dave Doyle (2014-02-22). "UFC 170 results: Stephen Thompson finishes off Robert Whittaker". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2014-02-22.
  17. ↑ Staff (2014-05-05). "UFC Fight Night 43 gets Whittaker-Rhodes". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-05-05.
  18. ↑ Matt Erickson (2014-06-28). "UFC Fight Night 43 results: Robert Whittaker cruises past Mike Rhodes". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-06-28.
  19. ↑ Matt Erickson (11 September 2014). "Five bouts, including Hester-Whittaker, added to UFC Fight Night 55 in Australia". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  20. ↑ Staff (2014-11-08). "UFC Fight Night 55 bonuses: Rockhold, Smolka, Whittaker, Hester win $50,000". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-11-08.
  21. ↑ Staff (2012-02-17). "UFC Fight Night 65 official for Australia with Hunt-Miocic, Tavares-Whittaker, more". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
  22. ↑ 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.
  23. ↑ Staff (2015-05-10). "UFC Fight Night 65 bonuses: With 10 finishes in 12 fights, who got $50,000?". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-05-10.
  24. ↑ Damon Martin (2015-08-19). "Michael Bisping vs. Robert Whittaker targeted for UFC 193 in Australia". foxsports.com. Retrieved 2015-08-19.
  25. ↑ Elias Cepeda (2015-09-30). "Michael Bisping injured, out of UFC 193". foxsports.com. Retrieved 2015-09-30.
  26. ↑ Damon Martin (2015-10-01). "Uriah Hall replaces Michael Bisping, faces Robert Whittaker at UFC 193". foxsports.com. Retrieved 2015-10-01.
  27. ↑ Matt Erickson (2015-11-14). "UFC 193 results: Robert Whittaker outshines Uriah Hall for unanimous decision". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-11-14.
  28. ↑ John Morgan (2016-02-08). "Rafael Natal meets Robert Whittaker at UFC 197". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-02-08.
  29. ↑ Dave Doyle (2016-04-23). "UFC 197 results: Robert Whittaker wins slugfest over Rafael Natal". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2016-04-23.
  30. ↑ Marc Raimondi (2016-09-21). "Derek Brunson gets quick turnaround, faces Robert Whittaker at UFC Fight Night 101". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2016-09-21.
  31. ↑ Steven Marrocco (2016-11-27). "UFC Fight Night 101 results: Robert Whittaker stops Derek Brunson in wild back-and-forth brawl". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
  32. ↑ Tristen Critchfield (2016-11-27). "UFC Fight Night 101 bonuses: Robert Whittaker pockets $100K for first-round TKO". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2016-11-27.

External links

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