Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Robert Whittaker (fighter)

How Robert Whittaker (fighter) built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Robert Whittaker is an Australian mixed martial artist competing in the UFC's Middleweight division. A former UFC Middleweight Champion, he was the first Australian to hold a UFC title. As of February 4, 2025, he is ranked #5 in the UFC middleweight rankings, highlighting his continued presence as a top contender in the division.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

2008: Signed with Xtreme Fighting Championships

In 2008, Robert Whittaker signed with Australia's Xtreme Fighting Championships.

2008: Ronaldo Souza's Last Loss

Robert Whittaker became the first person to finish Ronaldo Souza since 2008 when they fought on April 15, 2017.

March 2009: MMA Pro Debut

On March 14, 2009, Robert Whittaker made his professional debut against Chris Tallowin, winning via TKO in the first round.

2009: Professional MMA Debut

In 2009, Robert Whittaker began his career as a professional MMA competitor.

October 2011: First MMA Loss

On October 30, 2011, Robert Whittaker suffered his first professional loss to Hoon Kim at Legend Fighting Championships 6 in Cotai, Macau, via submission in the first round.

2011: Cage Fighting Championships Career

From 2009 to 2011, Robert Whittaker had a 6-0 record within Cage Fighting Championships, which included a notable win over Ben Alloway.

December 2012: UFC Debut and Ultimate Fighter Win

On December 15, 2012, Robert Whittaker made his UFC debut at UFC on FX 6, also known as "The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes Finale", where he defeated Brad Scott by unanimous decision to win the welterweight tournament, becoming the first winner of The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes.

2012: Selection for The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes

In 2012, Robert Whittaker was selected as a cast member for the first series of The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes, where Australians competed against fighters from the United Kingdom.

May 2013: UFC 160 Victory

On May 25, 2013, Robert Whittaker faced Colton Smith at UFC 160 and won the fight by TKO in the third round.

August 2013: Loss at UFC Fight Night 27

On August 28, 2013, Robert Whittaker faced Court McGee at UFC Fight Night 27 and lost the fight via split decision.

December 2013: Fight Cancellation

In December 2013, Robert Whittaker's scheduled fight against Brian Melancon at UFC Fight Night 33 was cancelled after Melancon pulled out due to injury and subsequently retired, leading to Whittaker's removal from the card.

February 2014: Loss to Stephen Thompson at UFC 170

On February 22, 2014, Robert Whittaker faced Stephen Thompson at UFC 170 and lost the fight via TKO in the first round.

June 2014: Victory at UFC Fight Night 43

On June 28, 2014, Robert Whittaker faced Mike Rhodes at UFC Fight Night 43 and won the fight via unanimous decision.

November 2014: UFC Fight Night 55 Victory and Bonus Award

On November 8, 2014, Robert Whittaker faced Clint Hester at UFC Fight Night 55 and won via TKO in the second round, also earning his first Fight of the Night bonus award.

May 2015: UFC Fight Night 65 Win and Performance Bonus

On May 10, 2015, Robert Whittaker faced Brad Tavares at UFC Fight Night 65 and won the fight via knockout in the first round, earning his first Performance of the Night bonus award.

November 2015: UFC 193 Win

In November 2015, Robert Whittaker was initially scheduled to face Michael Bisping at UFC 193. However, after Bisping withdrew, Whittaker faced Uriah Hall and won via unanimous decision.

April 2016: UFC 197 Victory

On April 23, 2016, Robert Whittaker faced Rafael Natal at UFC 197 and secured a victory via unanimous decision after a back-and-forth fight.

November 2016: UFC Fight Night 101 Victory and Bonus Awards

On November 27, 2016, Robert Whittaker faced Derek Brunson at UFC Fight Night 101 and won via first-round TKO, earning both the Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night bonus awards.

April 2017: UFC on Fox 24 Victory and Performance Bonus

On April 15, 2017, Robert Whittaker faced Ronaldo Souza at UFC on Fox 24, winning by second-round TKO and becoming the first person to finish Souza since 2008. Whittaker also earned his third Performance of the Night bonus award.

July 2017: Interim Middleweight Title Win at UFC 213

On July 8, 2017, Robert Whittaker fought Yoel Romero for the interim middleweight title at UFC 213, winning by unanimous decision and becoming the first Australian and first New Zealand-born fighter to hold a UFC title. This win earned him the Fight of the Night bonus award. He subsequently missed the remainder of 2017 due to a knee injury.

December 2017: Promotion to Undisputed Champion

On December 7, 2017, Robert Whittaker was promoted to undisputed UFC Middleweight Champion after Georges St-Pierre vacated the title.

2017: UFC Middleweight Champion

In 2017, Robert Whittaker became the undisputed UFC Middleweight Champion after Georges St-Pierre vacated the title.

February 2018: UFC 221 Withdrawal

Robert Whittaker was slated for his first title defense at UFC 221 on February 10, 2018, against Luke Rockhold, but he pulled out due to an undisclosed injury and was replaced by Yoel Romero for the interim middleweight championship.

June 2018: Victory Against Romero at UFC 225

On June 9, 2018, Robert Whittaker won against Yoel Romero at UFC 225 by split decision in a non-title catchweight bout after Romero missed weight. Whittaker received a $100,000 bonus and the fight earned 'Fight of The Night' honors.

June 2018: UFC 225 Match

Robert Whittaker had a match scheduled for UFC 225 against Yoel Romero on June 9, 2018, which affected his decision to withdraw from the Commonwealth Games in April 2018.

July 2018: Coaching Role on Ultimate Fighter 28

In July 2018, the UFC announced that Robert Whittaker and Kelvin Gastelum would be coaches for Ultimate Fighter 28.

November 2018: Title Defence Announcement and Withdrawal

On November 2, 2018, Robert Whittaker's middleweight title defense against Kelvin Gastelum was announced, but Whittaker pulled out of the event due to an abdominal hernia and a twisted and collapsed bowel, requiring emergency surgery.

October 2019: Loss to Adesanya at UFC 243

On October 6, 2019, Robert Whittaker faced Israel Adesanya at UFC 243 and lost the bout and the championship via second-round knockout.

January 2020: Withdrawal from Cannonier Fight

On January 15, 2020, it was announced that Robert Whittaker pulled out of his scheduled fight against Jared Cannonier at UFC 248 for undisclosed reasons.

March 2020: Scheduled Fight

Robert Whittaker was scheduled to face Jared Cannonier on March 7, 2020, at UFC 248, but withdrew.

July 2020: Victory Against Darren Till

On July 26, 2020, Robert Whittaker faced Darren Till at UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Till and won the fight via unanimous decision.

October 2020: UFC 254 Victory Over Cannonier

On October 24, 2020, Robert Whittaker faced Jared Cannonier at UFC 254 and won the fight via unanimous decision.

April 2021: UFC on ESPN 22 Victory and Fight of the Night Award

On April 17, 2021, Robert Whittaker faced Kelvin Gastelum at UFC on ESPN 22 and won the fight via unanimous decision, earning the Fight of the Night award.

February 2022: Loss to Adesanya at UFC 271

On February 12, 2022, Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya had a rematch for the UFC Middleweight Championship at UFC 271, where Whittaker lost the bout via unanimous decision.

June 2022: Initial Vettori Fight Cancellation

Robert Whittaker was initially scheduled to face Marvin Vettori on June 11, 2022, at UFC 275, but he withdrew for undisclosed reasons.

September 2022: Victory Against Vettori at UFC Fight Night 209

On September 3, 2022, Robert Whittaker faced Marvin Vettori at UFC Fight Night 209 and won the fight via unanimous decision.

February 2023: Costa Fight Disputed

Robert Whittaker was scheduled to face Paulo Costa on February 12, 2023, at UFC 284; however, Costa disputed the official announcement, stating he never signed a contract, and the fight did not take place.

July 2023: Loss to du Plessis at UFC 290

On July 8, 2023, Robert Whittaker faced Dricus du Plessis in a UFC Middleweight title eliminator fight at UFC 290 and lost the fight via technical knockout in the second round.

February 2024: Victory Against Paulo Costa at UFC 298

On February 17, 2024, Robert Whittaker faced Paulo Costa at UFC 298. After surviving a head kick in the first round, Whittaker rebounded and won the bout by unanimous decision.

June 2024: Victory Against Aliskerov at UFC on ABC 6

On June 22, 2024, Robert Whittaker was originally scheduled to face Khamzat Chimaev at UFC on ABC 6, but Chimaev withdrew due to illness and was replaced by Ikram Aliskerov. Whittaker defeated Aliskerov by knockout in the first round and earned another Performance of the Night award.

October 2024: Loss to Chimaev at UFC 308

On October 26, 2024, Robert Whittaker faced Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308 and lost the fight via a face-crank submission in the first round, resulting in a dislocated jaw.

February 2025: UFC Middleweight Ranking

As of February 2025, Robert Whittaker is ranked #5 in the UFC middleweight rankings.

July 2025: Scheduled Fight Against de Ridder

Robert Whittaker is scheduled to face former ONE Middleweight and Light Heavyweight World Champion Reinier de Ridder in the main event on July 26, 2025, at UFC on ABC 9.