Robert Whittaker’s Mindset at the Close of His Career
UFC veteran Robert Whittaker has shared insights into his perspective as he nears the end of his fighting career, emphasizing that the stress of competition remains constant. He maintains a belief that he still has a realistic chance of contending for the middleweight title.
Whittaker’s upcoming fight against Dutch fighter Reinier de Ridder will headline UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi. This marks Whittaker’s return to the Octagon following a tough loss to Khamzat Chimaev late last year, where he was submitted in the first round.
Reflecting on his past, Whittaker stated, “Every loss is character building.” He noted that the challenges he faced, including losing some teeth, allowed for unexpected personal growth and valuable time with his family. He is optimistic about his upcoming fight, looking forward to re-entering the ring.
This fight with de Ridder represents Whittaker’s 24th time in the Octagon. He rose to prominence in 2017 when he won the middleweight championship by defeating Yoel Romero. However, he lost his title to Israel Adesanya in front of the largest audience in UFC history at UFC 243.
While some might think Whittaker would feel less pressure as he nears retirement, he assures that the nerves are still present. “It’s the same as always,” he explained. Yet, the moments following a successful fight bring him a sense of satisfaction that makes it all worthwhile.
Whittaker is aware that the end of his career is imminent but remains proud of his legacy within the sport. He expressed that while he doesn’t want to fight indefinitely, he is eager to make the most of his remaining years, which he hopes will still include another title shot.
Whittaker believes that with a strong performance against de Ridder, he could position himself for another shot at the title. He recognizes the fluidity of the division and feels that he is always just one solid performance away from being in contention again.
As he prepares for this pivotal matchup, Whittaker is ready to face De Ridder, who has yet to lose in the UFC. Regardless of the fight’s outcome, Whittaker’s legacy as Australia’s first UFC champion is secure, and he expresses pride in the history he has made in the sport.
