Robert loved best night of his career in Glasgow – and he wants more like it
Whiteford loves life in the UFC and is determined to get on track in Zagreb
Scotland’s top UFC fighter admits he was lef t devastated when the high of a Hydro knockout was followed by the low of a dismal Dublin defeat.
Robert Whiteford had the world at his feet last July after being part of the UFC’s first trip to Scotland.
He whipped the Glasgow crowd into a frenzy after knocking Paul Redmond unconscious in the first round before running into the fans and celebrating with them.
It was a surreal moment that will live with everyone who was lucky enough to be there to witness it.
But fast forward three months and it was a very different picture.
There were no celebrations, no smiles and no support – just the dark place sportsmen retreat to after a humbling defeat. Whiteford knew he had let himself down in that unanimous points defeat to Darren Elkins in Ireland.
It was a crushing disappointment but the Armadale ace knows he can’t afford to wallow in self-pity.
And the 33-year-old is now pushing his body to the limit in the searing sunshine of Florida ahead of his fifth UFC fight in Zagreb next Sunday against Brazil’s Lucas Martins.
He said: “When I won in Glasgow, that was one of the best nights of my life. To win in front of 14,000 fans in that fashion made me lose my mind.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to recreate that special feeling.
“But a defeat is never good and losing is a very lonely place. The
Scots ace Robert pummels Redmond people around you know to give you space and that you want to be alone.
“When you win there’s loads of attention and interviews.
“When you lose nobody even wants to speak to you.
“But this game is designed to break you. You have to credit yourself with getting back on your feet as this is a lonely road where you don’t ask anyone for help.”
Anyone who has witnessed Whiteford’s rise to the top will know he has the character to bounce back from disappointments.
After starting off training in a Sauchie church hall with judo expert Josh Gavin, Whiteford has gone from fighting in Alloa Town Hall to selling out arenas.
Winning judo bronze at the 2006 Commonwealth Championships was a special achievementement and he became the firstst Scot to sign withith the UFC three years ago.
He claimedlaimed his first win in the championship over Daniell Pineda in March 2014 and nowow boasts a record of two victoriesctories and two losses.
But Whiteford knows you’re only as good as your last fight and thee UFC has proven to be a cut-throathroat world with a large turnoverver of fighters.
He needseeds to make up for the pain off that loss to Elkins in Dublinn and is determined to put on a show when he faces Martinsns in Croatia
The Scot faces a formidable