Robert Whittaker

“I vigorously train in my jui jitsu and my wrestling, but my stand-up game gives me a huge advantage in defending take-downs.”

“Moving to middleweight had a massive impact on my training regime and my mental space leading into everyday training. I was training for the fight, not just trying to burn calories and get my weight down. It was a big mental relief there.”

“I wouldn't be in this sport if I didn't think I could make it to the top.”

“I have faith in my wrestling, faith in my grappling, and faith in my striking.”

“Every fight, I try to get out there and set an example to show the rest of the world we have fighters from Australia, and we're for real, and we're here to stay.”

“People smarter than me told me that my potential was bigger than just winning a belt. Now I believe that, and that's what I'm striving for.”

“I don't think you ever get used to being away from home.”

“The UFC are my employers, so they have to come first.”

“Having a little boy gave me a foundation and centred my life a bit more.”

“The UFC does what it wants. That's just how it is.”

“Everyone thinks Australia and New Zealand MMA fighters don't have that wrestling base, whereas a lot of Americans and other countries have, with them being able to do wrestling at high-school levels.”

“I've been dropped on my head multiple times.”

“I'm a distance fighter - if you've seen me fight, I like ducking in and out.”

“I'm happy to fight anyone. There's no particular person I want to fight next.”

“Every time I step out there in the Octagon, I aim to do Australia proud. And this isn't for popularity or a fan base; it has never been for that. It's just because I love my country, and I want to show the world what we're doing down here.”

“I'm very picky with what I read. It's a specific genre of science fiction.”

“Obviously wrestling is a core component of MMA. And among UFC fighters, my take-down defence is considered quite high.”

“When you get chickenpox as an adult, it's not a laughing matter.”

“Obviously, that's the thing any athlete wants to be able to do, to take weaknesses and turn them into strengths.”

“Michael Bisping's whole life is a film scene. He's always acting. Confronting me at UFC 213, it makes me laugh. It's a bit clownish.”