Robert Whittaker Biography
Robert Whittaker Biography – Robert Whittaker (born December 20, 1990) is an Australian professional mixed martial artist who was born in New Zealand. He is a former UFC Middleweight Champion and is now signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
| Name | Robert Whittaker |
| Date of Birth | December 20, 1990 |
| Age | 31 years (died) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Net worth | $2 million |
| Profession/Occupation | UFC Fighter |
| Gender | Male |
| Wife | Sofia Whittaker |
| Height | 1.8 m |
Robert Whittaker Background
Robert Whittaker Background – Whittaker was born in Otahuhu, Auckland, New Zealand, at Middlemore Hospital. His father is of European heritage from Australia, and his mother is Mori and Samoan. Whittaker’s father enrolled Robert, who was seven years old at the time, and his brother in a Goju-ryu Karate school to teach them self-discipline and self-defense.
After a little more than eight years of training and achieving his black belt, his father offered him the option of switching sports or abandoning Karate totally. While his brother elected to drop out, Robert chose to join Henry Perez’s Hapkido gym after relocating to Menai.
Perez converted his gym into an MMA facility not long after. Whittaker began training in MMA because he had no other option and was quickly hooked, opting for MMA over Rugby League as his favored sport.
Robert Whittaker Career
Robert Whittaker Career – Whittaker has been a professional MMA fighter since 2009, and he won the welterweight competition in the first season of The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes. After Georges St-Pierre vacated the UFC Middleweight Championship in 2017, Whittaker became interim middleweight champion after capturing the belt at UFC 213; he was upgraded to undisputed champion after Georges St-Pierre vacated the title.
He is currently ranked #1 in the UFC middleweight rankings as of January 19, 2021, and #12 in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings as of July 19, 2021.
Whittaker began competing professionally in mixed martial arts (MMA) in 2008. He joined with Xtreme Fighting Championships in Australia and made his pro debut against Chris Tallowin on March 14, 2009. Whittaker won the bout in the first round via TKO. Whittaker resumed his career with Cage Fighting Championships, where he went 6-0 from 2009 to 2011, including a significant win over Ben Alloway, a fellow TUF: Smashes cast member.
On December 15, 2012, Whittaker made his UFC debut at UFC on FX 6, also known as “The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes Finale.” In The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes, he would face Brad Scott to determine the welterweight champion.
Whittaker defeated Norman Parke, the lightweight winner, by unanimous decision to become the inaugural winner of The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes.
On May 25, 2013, Whittaker fought Colton Smith at UFC 160.30. He won the bout in the third round by TKO.
On November 8, 2014, Whittaker fought Clint Hester in a middleweight bout at UFC Fight Night 55.41. In a back-and-forth battle, he won by TKO in the second round. Whittaker also received his first Fight of the Night bonus for the victory.
After Michael Bisping reported a persistent knee ailment that would keep him out for several months, Whittaker fought for the interim middleweight title against Yoel Romero on July 8, 2017 at UFC 213.
Whittaker won by unanimous decision, becoming the first Australian and New Zealander to hold a UFC championship. 12:59: He received the Fight of the Night bonus award for this victory. He was sidelined for the rest of 2017 due to a medial knee injury to his left leg.
On March 7, 2020, Whittaker was set to meet Jared Cannonier at UFC 248.77. Whittaker, however, dropped out of the fight on January 15, 2020, for unclear reasons. Whittaker announced in an interview in late April 2020 that he withdrew from the fight and training completely due to fatigue.
Robert Whittaker Wife
Robert Whittaker Wife – Whittaker has three sons, John, Jack, and Jace, as well as a daughter, Lilliana, with his wife Sofia. Whittaker is also the legal guardian of his younger half sister Kerehi Matafeo, as well as his brothers Kerehi and Henry Matafeo.
Robert Whittaker Net worth
Robert Whittaker Net worth – Robert Whittaker has a net worth of $2 million. He is an Australian professional mixed martial artist who was born in New Zealand. He is a former UFC Middleweight Champion and is now signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
