Robert Whittaker has opened up on his plans for a blockbuster Australian farewell – which, apparently, got further away this week – while also explaining why son Jack will be accompanying him to both the scales for Saturday’s UFC 329 ceremonial weigh-ins, and again on fight night.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia from his Las Vegas fight camp, Whittaker also gave his take on Conor McGregor’s return, and why the fightin’ Irishman is absolutely a live dog against Max Holloway, plus the chaos that is having all six children with him in camp this week.
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While he may already be considered a future Hall of Famer, 35-year-old Whittaker is now looking to begin yet another chapter of his storied career this weekend – making his light heavyweight debut against Nikita Krylov.
As part of several changes to his fighting life, which include moving up from middleweight, where he once reigned and has long been a mainstay of the top 10, Whittaker and wife Sofia have also brought all of their children with them for fight week.
Better, Bobby Knuckles is keen to get eldest son Jack, 11, involved.
“Yeah, I want Jack on stage with me at the weigh-ins,” Whittaker told us this week.
“We’re actually working all that out right now.
“And he’s ready.
“He also came with me to check in day and my wife and Jack will be at the fight, too.
“As a parent, you want to give your children experiences; and this is definitely an experience not too many people in the world can have.
“It’s part of the next chapter for me. Introducing the kids to my craft. Allowing them to see what I’ve done for the majority of their lives, and how it’s let us get to where we are today.”
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Whittaker also revealed he plans to farewell the UFC on an Australian card.
However, given how the fighter is feeling in camp this week following the move up in weight, the man who previously stated he might only have one or two fights now wants to go longer.
“I’m going to retire in Australia,” Whittaker said when asked about his fighting future. “I’m going to set things up so that I can finish where I started … on home soil.”
But as for when it will be?
“Right now, I’m going fight by fight,” he said. “For me, it’s all about enjoying the journey and this week I’m absolutely doing that.
“Although let’s be honest, I don’t want to be fighting for another five years. There are other things I want to do.
“But I definitely have a few more in me now. I have a new love of the game.”
While Whittaker is gunning for a big finish on the undercard, the main event will see McGregor back fighting for the first time in five years, and against the Hawaiian legend he has already bested once, Holloway.
Currently, Sportsbet has Mystic Mac a $2.84 outsider.
Holloway, meanwhile, is paying only $1.43 for the win, with a KO also at only $1.91.
But as for Whittaker being able to see a path to victory for McGregor.
“Oh, definitely,” he said. “Conor McGregor is one of the best sharpshooters in the game. And he is now fighting at welterweight, and has welterweight power, while Max isn’t from that division.
“So McGregor definitely has some tools. And a danger level to him. I’m still backing Max Holloway, but ruling out Conor to win is silly.”
Asked how the fight plays out, Whittaker continued: “I think Max just gets his hands on him. Lays on the pressure and starts to wear McGregor out. And once he does slow down, it then becomes a long night in the office. It’s never good once you slow down against Max Holloway …”
Stoppage?
“This fight won’t go the distance,” he said.
Speaking at the UFC media day, Whittaker also spoke of the fight having “a lot of variables”.
“Because Conor hasn’t been in the firefight for a long time,” he said of the superstar’s time out of the sport. “I don’t know what sort of work he’s been doing outside the Octagon, but I’m sure it’s not the same. When you’re not in competition it’s not the same.
“Then there’s bouncing back from the leg break, it changes you. Time changes you. So there’s that variable.
“But then we’ve got Max at 170, we haven’t seen him there. He’s a volume, cardio striker. So to see him at 170, where generally speaking the higher the weight division the less [you see that].
“But I’m gunna be backing Max because I like him. And I think he gets it done. He’s been battle tested. He’s had five round fights. Had to grind through.
“I think getting comfortable outside of fighting, being away from it for so long is really going to impact Conor. I feel like his super power coming in — his swagger, his ability, his striking power and prowess is undeniable — but he was hungry. He had a real starved look in his eyes when he was tearing through people. And I think that’s a super power that disappeared when he made $100 million.”
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Elsewhere, Whittaker is gunning for a finish in his own fight.
“Krylov is a kill or be killed fighter,” the Aussie started. “So I’m going in there to try and put him away.
“Although while I think I’ve got the advantage in many areas, power is the ultimate equaliser. And he does hit hard. So I’ll respect his fight style.
“But I’ll also be setting up opportunities to expose his holes and weaknesses. And I’ve got 15 minutes to try and send him home.”
Incredibly, Whittaker also reckons having all six children with him in fight week will help get that done.
Apart from being with their old man this week, the Whittaker family will then stay on in the United States for a fortnight after the fight, which includes a trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
Asked about having all his family in Las Vegas this week, the former world champ said: “Honestly, best thing I’ve ever done.
“Because my last couple of fight weeks, I haven’t enjoyed them. And that’s why it’s been time to mix things up and start enjoying the journey a little more.
“Start enjoying the work.
“And while moving to light heavyweight has been part of that, another big thing is having all of my family here with me this week, having my kids experience a fight week and the UFC machine with me.
“And not only so they can travel the world.
“But this is also for all those times they’ve had to see daddy on Facetime. Or all those times I’ve been leaving the house and they’re told I’m going away for two weeks, for three weeks at a time.
“This gives them some context.
“It shows them what I do. And I’m stoked to now have them here with me. It’s the most relaxed fight week I’ve ever had I reckon.”
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So as for what he does with the kids during those times this week when they are together?
“We just get to keep being a family,” he said. “It’s not like we’re all off to the Las Vegas strip or anything like that. But I’m now having dinner with the kids every evening, and being there to kiss them goodnight.
“Throughout the day too, we get to play Pokémon and stuff together … it’s really just dad stuff.”
At which point you ask Whittaker if, given fighters rarely travel with family, he has any concern that having all his loved ones around will impact his focus, or ability to switch on, come fight night?
“No,” he says simply. “And as I’ve said, things had to change.
“And now that they have, everything is so much better.
“Following the move to light heavyweight, the camp was much better because I had fuel for the sessions and the recovery was so much higher, too.
“And now bringing my family, I’m happier. I’m not dragging my feet.
“Usually when I’m away, and while I’m worried about the fight, I just want to go home. I miss my family, you know. I’m longing for everything to be over.
“And that takes so much attention away from the task at hand.
“But now? I am home. So I can put my entire focus to the task at hand.”