A week after the biggest win of his career, the rising star that is Robert Whittaker is only just getting started.
The 26-year-old won praise throughout the fighting world during his 25-minute war with Cuban Yoel Romero last weekend, and has no plans of slowing down after capturing the UFC's interim middleweight championship in a unanimous decision at UFC 213 in Las Vegas.
More Sports HQ Videos
- Video duration
- 01:33
Whittaker makes history after bruising ...
Whittaker makes history after bruising fight
Despite damaging his left leg in the opening round Robert Whittaker claimed a courageous victory over Cuba's Yoel Romero.
Up Next
AFL plays of the round 17
- Video duration
- 01:54
- Video duration
- 01:54
AFL plays of the round 17
AFL plays of the round 17
Could Essendon's Joe Daniher's spectacular screamer be mark of the year?
Up Next
The moment that may cost Martin the Brownlow
- Video duration
- 00:34
- Video duration
- 00:34
The moment that may cost Martin the ...
The moment that may cost Martin the Brownlow
Dustin Martin will likely face punishment this week after appearing to strike antagonising Lion Nick Robertson.
Up Next
Eagles take Western Derby
- Video duration
- 01:30
- Video duration
- 01:30
Eagles take Western Derby
Eagles take Western Derby
In the final Western Derby at the Domain it was West Coast who came out on top to move just inside the eight.
Up Next
Clinical Cowboys too good for Rabbitohs
- Video duration
- 01:01
- Video duration
- 01:01
Clinical Cowboys too good for Rabbitohs
Clinical Cowboys too good for Rabbitohs
The North Queensland Cowboys have defeated the South Sydney Rabbitohs 23-10 at Barlow Park, Cairns.
Up Next
Bulldogs bounce back against Carlton
- Video duration
- 01:29
- Video duration
- 01:29
Bulldogs bounce back against Carlton
Bulldogs bounce back against Carlton
After a slow start the Western Bulldogs cruised their way to a steady lead to which the Blues had no reply.
Up Next
Martin dominant as Tigers defeat Lions
- Video duration
- 01:22
- Video duration
- 01:22
Martin dominant as Tigers defeat Lions
Martin dominant as Tigers defeat Lions
Richmond kept up their finals hope with a 31 point win over the Brisbane Lions, Dustin Martin racking up 40 possesions in a dominant display.
Up Next
Sea Eagles survive Tigers scare
- Video duration
- 01:30
- Video duration
- 01:30
Sea Eagles survive Tigers scare
Sea Eagles survive Tigers scare
The Manly Sea Eagles have defeated the Wests Tigers 28-16 at Brookvale Oval in Marty Tapau's 100th NRL game.
Whittaker makes history after bruising fight
Despite damaging his left leg in the opening round Robert Whittaker claimed a courageous victory over Cuba's Yoel Romero.
In an Australian sporting landscape starved of feel-good stories, we've been gifted two in the past fortnight with Whittaker and Jeff Horn overcoming the odds.
"I'm blessed to be in this position â every time I walk into the octagon I feel like I'm representing Australia and New Zealand," said "The Reaper", who was born in New Zealand before crossing the Tasman as a young child.
Whittaker didn't watch the Horn v Pacquiao fight â he was, in his words, "all systems go" in his preparation for Romero, but was full of admiration for his countryman when asked about Horn in his post-fight press conference.
"All props to Jeff Horn â he put his heart on the line and fought a really hard fight ... we dig deep, we train hard and we get the job done," Whittaker said.
Regardless of people's feelings towards mixed martial arts as a whole, the hand-wringing opinion pieces written about some of our other young athletes, especially tennis players, are not going to be found here. Whittaker carries himself with a quiet dignity that Australians love: he is humble, a family man and good with the media. Since returning to Sydney on Tuesday he has made mainstream appearances on The Project, Sunrise and The Footy Show, among others.
UFC's head of international Joe Carr speaks glowingly of Whittaker's prospects of being "a great and marketable champion for UFC" across the globe.
Whittaker holds clinics for youths at his home gym, Gracie Jiu Jitsu in Smeaton Grange, and last month travelled to northern NSW to do likewise with Indigenous youth in several communities.
"I want to be a good role model for young up-and-coming athletes, and I want to be a role model to men in general," he said.
Next up is a world title bout against Michael Bisping, who Whittaker believes he was "fated to fight", and they could not be more different characters. The Englishman is well known for his trash talk, but "Bobby Knuckles" Whittaker won't be drawn into any sort of war of words.
"I'm the type of fighter that goes into every fight with no ill will towards my opponent," he said. "I'm an athlete first and foremost.
"In every one of my fights I let my actions speak louder than words."
There's every chance that fight will not take place until 2018, and when it does, it will probably be on the other side of the world. Whittaker will not be fighting in November's Fight Night event Sydney, but will be involved in some capacity, even if it's just as a fan.
"We have the talent at home to do what we need to do and I hope this makes the sport grow," he said.
Up-and-coming star Megan Anderson could feature at the Sydney event and legendary bruiser Mark Hunt may also be fighting. It's unlikely we will see undefeated light heavyweight Tyson Pedro, as he is fighting at UFC 215 in September, but he is another of a growing band of hugely exciting Aussie prospects.
With Whittaker dominating all challengers at the moment, there's probably never been a more exciting time for UFC fans in Australia. If you're not on the bandwagon yet, now's the time to jump on â there's plenty of room.