Robert Whittaker flying the flag for NZ and Australia as he prepares to make UFC history
Robert Whittaker has the chance to become the first fighter from New Zealand or Australia to win a UFC title. It seems that every time Robert Whittaker has stepped into the octagon lately, hes faced the biggest test of his burgeoning UFC career.
Last time out it was the decorated grappler Ronaldo Jacare Souza who was supposed to be a bridge too far for the New Zealand-born Aussie. The fight before that, as he headlined a UFC card for the first time, it was Derek Brunson.
Even going back to his win over Uriah Hall in front of a record attendance at Melbournes Etihad Stadium two years ago, no matter which high-profile opponent the matchmakers roll out Whittaker just keeps knocking them down.
Robert Whittaker meets Yoel Romero in Las Vegas on the back of a seven-fight win streak.
Well, here he goes again as the 26-year-old takes yet another step up in Las Vegas next Sunday against No 1 middleweight contender Yoel Romero in the co-main event of UFC 213.
With champion Michael Bisping sidelined by injury, the UFC have raised the stakes even further by putting an interim belt up for grabs, giving Whittaker the opportunity to become the first fighter from either Australia or New Zealand to hold a title in the worlds premier mixed martial arts organisation.
No 1 middleweight contender Yoel Romero has won his last eight fights. Riding a sensational seven-fight win streak, Whittaker has reached this point by maintaining a stone-cold focus and keeping calm and composed regardless of the occasion.
As he prepares to break new ground in Australasian MMA, dont expect that to change. Its just another fight and just another name, Whittaker said.
Its a hard fight and Ive got to show my opponent the respect he deserves but its just another fight for me.
Ive gone back to training and did the same things and Im going to step in there and perform like I always have..
Whittaker (19-4) is just the second Kiwi to challenge for a UFC title after Mark Hunt, who was defeated by Fabricio Werdum for the heavyweight interim belt three years ago.
While the only other Australian to reach a title fight, light-heavyweight Elvis Sionsic, lost to Tito Ortiz in 2001.
Born to a Kiwi mother and Australian father, Whittaker has lived most of his life across the Tasman but is fiercely proud of his Maori heritage.
And as his tattoos show - one of the Southern Cross and the other a Maori design symbolising his familys journey - Whittaker will be flying the flag for both countries next week.
I was completely raised in Australia but Im super proud of my roots there (New Zealand), he said. Its no secret where I get my strength from and you can see every time I get in there..
A former winner of the The Ultimate Fighter reality TV show, it has not always been smooth sailing for the Sydney-based striker.
Indeed, the position he finds himself now is a far cry from where he was in February, 2014, when consecutive defeats left him with a 2-2 record.
Whittaker credits a heart-to-heart with coach Fabricio Itte for igniting his phenomenal run, which began with a unanimous decision victory over American Mike Rhodes during the UFCs first show in New Zealand later that year.
It was probably the beginning of that streak where I sat down with Fabricio and he told me, mate, I expect you to be champion and I expect more than that.
Then the realisation of that dawned on me and now I expect more than that. Following his win in Auckland Whittaker made what has turned out to be the most important decision of his career and move up from the welterweight division.
He wasted no time finding a home at middleweight, delivering a fight-of-the-night performance in stopping Clint Hester and hasnt looked back since.
There is only one man in the division who has racked up more wins on the trot than The Reaper, it just so happens to be his next opponent.
An Olympic silver medallist in freestyle wrestling, Romero (12-1) has won his last eight bouts, six by KO, on the way to building a reputation as the most feared fighter in the division. It has not been without controversy, though.
Following a split decision victory over Souza in late 2015 Romero was slapped with a six-month suspension for taking a tainted supplement, raising suspicions over the 40-year-old Cuban crusher, whose Adonis-like frame belies his age.
Whittaker shrugged off those concerns as he focused on his own preparation. There is no secret as to where his strength lies and he took his striking to another level in the clinical dismantling of Souza in April.
Asked how he planned to counters Romeros expert ground game, Whittaker said: The same way I always do, throw punches at him.
This fight is going to be decided by who can dictate the pace and who can put their game plan into play. If I can keep it standing its going to play straight into my game plan.
But Ive been working every aspect of my game since the last fight. Every time I enter the octagon is another opportunity for me to show how much Ive grown as a fighter.
Its going to be no different this fight, Im going to go in there and be better than the last performance - you wont see a stop in growth..
Victory for either fighter at the T-Mobile Arena would set up a unification bout against Bisping. But titles or not, Whittaker has all the incentive he needs.
Its always been a goal and dream of mine to be able to bring the gold back to my countries. But I dont need much more motivation to fight, he said. .
Anything other than the bloke standing opposite me wanting to punch my head in, if you cant get motivated enough from that then I think youre in the wrong sport.
UFC 213: Nunes vs Shevchenko 2 . Featuring a co-main event between Robert Whittaker vs Yoel Romero for the interim middleweight title.
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