AUSSIE’S WRESTLE MANIA
UFC STAR TARGETS COMM GAMES
ROBERT Whittaker wants to win Australia’s first UFC world title. Then, go wrestle his way to a Commonwealth Games gold medal.
And all within the space of weeks. After months of speculation, Whittaker has finally been confirmed as the likely headliner for UFC 221 in Perth next February – with his main event set to double as a middleweight world title fight.
Yet the Sydney father-of2018 two has also revealed he is pushing for a place on the Australian wrestling team for the Commonwealth Games, which will take place on the Gold Coast from April.
Currently on an unbeaten run stretching eight fights and three years, Whittaker’s headline event at Perth Arena would be against the winner of this Sunday’s New York title fight involving reigning champ Michael Bisping and Canadian megastar Georges St-Pierre.
The 26-year-old would then jet almost immediately to Queensland, where the Commonwealth Games open on April 4. Speaking for the first time about his Games push, Whittaker said: “It’s a chance of happening, definitely.
“Obviously, a lot will depend on timing – and my first commitment is always to the UFC – but if there’s a possibility of things lining up then I’d definitely like to get in and give it a dig.
“I find the (Commonwealth Games tilt) is a great way for me to keep sharp and keep my competition fitness up.
“So if I haven’t got a fight locked in or confirmed, and I qualify … yeah, I’m definitely going to have a go.”
While Whittaker fights as a professional Mixed Martial Artist, members of the Australian wrestling team have already confirmed he is free to compete in the Games should he qualify.
In May he was involved in the Australian Wrestling Championships – winning the 97kg division. Final Games spots will be chosen at the end of next month.
“I’ve been thinking about this for a long time,’’ he said.
“For years. Ever since I first started wrestling as a sport, I’ve been contemplating the idea of representing Australia.
“When I train my disciplines in Mixed Martial Arts, I train wrestling as its own sport, I train jiu jitsu as its own sport and so on. It’s then up to me to make the transfer across to Mixed Martial Arts … not the other way around.”
Next February’s fight will be held at Perth Arena.