ABU DHABI – Robert Whittaker has been to the top of the mountain, and he could be on the cusp of going back.
And because of that, in part, it’s likely the former UFC middleweight titleholder has found a way to stay grounded in pursuit of another title shot. But he also thinks a dramatic change in his life outside the sport was instrumental.
Figuring out how to balance MMA with kids and family life is what helps set him apart, he thinks.
“The big part of it is all about redefining drives and goals,” Whittaker said at Wednesday’s media day for UFC 308. “I’ve been in the UFC for a long time. You don’t see a lot of fighters stay in the UFC for as long as I have at the caliber and the level that I’ve been at. I think I owe a lot of that to just being able to redefine my goals, redefine my drive.”
Whittaker (27-7 MMA, 17-5 UFC) on Saturday has just the latest big test in his career when he takes on unbeaten fellow title contender Khamzat Chimaev (13-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) in the UFC 308 (pay-per-view, ESPN+) co-main event at Etihad Arena.
Chimaev is more than a 2-1 favorite at the betting window, and that part is slightly new to Whittaker. He’s only been an underdog once in the past seven years, and that was his rematch with Israel Adesanya in an attempt to win back the middleweight title he lost to him in 2019.
But the life circumstances Whittker cares most about, he thinks help him in the cage, too.
“When I started my career, I didn’t have kids,” Whittaker said. “So the introduction of kids during that period, it’s mind-blowing. And anyone that has kids will understand – it changes you. I think a lot of fighters struggle with change … But I’ve made those changes to my family.
“I understand what is important in life. I have my priorities straight, and I guess to sum it up, I understand what I’m fighting for. I fight for my family. It wouldn’t make sense not to spend time with them at the cost of fighting.”
Check out Whittaker’s full media day interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.
