“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.”

Australian professional mixed martial artist

Robert John Whittaker is an Australian professional mixed martial artist. He competes in the light heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and was formerly the UFC Middleweight Champion. He is also the first Australian to win a UFC championship. Whittaker has built his reputation in the UFC across two weight classes, with his championship run in the middleweight division standing as the central achievement of his career. His public profile rests on elite competition at the highest level of mixed martial arts, and on the significance of his place in Australian sporting history.