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New Zealand Robert Whittaker is a former UFC Middleweight Champion and the first Australian to win a UFC championship, known for his distinguished career in mixed martial arts.
Sponsor of UFC FIGHT NIGHT: WHITTAKER VS DE RIDDER, capturing global attention and creating moments that resonate beyond the arena.
Official Charging Partner of UFC in the Middle East and Africa, notably associated with events featuring Robert Whittaker.
Partnered for the launch of their MMA series, featuring elite Python and Taipan gear endorsed by Rob Whittaker for ultimate performance.
Robert Whittaker became a brand ambassador, striking a deal in the lead up to his anticipated title fight.
Partnered with Robert Whittaker, offering combat gear and training insights from the former UFC champion.
Robert John Whittaker was born on December 20, 1990, in Ōtāhuhu, Auckland, New Zealand. He moved to Australia shortly after birth. His father enrolled him and his brother in a Goju-ryu karate school when Robert was seven years old, aiming to instill self-discipline and self-defense. After eight years of training and achieving a black belt in karate, Whittaker transitioned to Hapkido under Henry Perez. When Perez converted his gym into an MMA facility, Whittaker found his calling in mixed martial arts, choosing it over rugby league despite being a talented player in his youth with the Cronulla Sharks development academy.
Whittaker began his professional MMA career in 2009 with Xtreme Fighting Championships and later Cage Fighting Championships, where he compiled an impressive 6-0 record before experiencing his first loss in 2011. His career trajectory significantly shifted in 2012 when he participated in The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes, an event that pitted Australian fighters against those from the United Kingdom. Whittaker won the welterweight tournament, marking his official entry into the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
His UFC journey saw him initially compete as a welterweight before moving to the middleweight division in 2014, a turning point that led to a string of significant victories. Robert Whittaker secured the interim UFC Middleweight Championship at UFC 213 in 2017 and was later promoted to undisputed champion, becoming the first Australian and New Zealand-born fighter to achieve this feat. Throughout his career, he has earned numerous ‘Fight of the Night’ and ‘Performance of the Night’ bonuses, establishing himself as a prominent and respected figure in the sport.
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