UFC champ eyes gold in wrestling

ROBERT Whittaker is set create history as the first UFC champion to compete at a Commonwealth Games.

The name of Whittaker (pictured) has finally been rubber-stamped to join Australia’s wrestling team.

The move continues a run of firsts for the Sydney middleweight, who in December became Australia’s first UFC champion.

Incredibly, the 27-year-old could chase a Commonwealth gold medal only weeks before defending his world title belt against Cuban Yoel Romero.

The Games announcement had been delayed for several months, however, after a handful of Australian wrestlers appealed against their omissions from the squad.

It’s understood the drama surrounded Australia having national champions in all 12 weight divisions, but only being allowed to send eight to the Gold Coast Games.

Regardless, those appeals have been overruled, leaving Wrestling Australia to confirm Whittaker’s move at a squad announcement this week.

The UFC middleweight champ has spoken at length of his desire to represent Australia.