Hayden Harbutt: UFC hopeful faces court for drug driving

The man who hopes to become Australia’s next Robert Whittaker has fronted a Sydney court on drug driving charges. He pleaded with the court for leniency so he could pursue his UFC dream in the United States.

Up and coming fighter Hayden Harbutt, 25, who has dreams of competing in the UFC. He fronted court on Wednesday over driving with cocaine and cannabis in his system, Picture: Phil Hillyard

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A mixed martial arts fighter with dreams of gloving up in the infamous UFC octagon one day has escaped court with both his flawless professional and criminal records intact.

Hayden Harbutt, 25, fronted Waverley Local Court on Wednesday seven months after admitting to cops there would be drugs in his system when they breath tested him behind the wheel.

The flyweight, who drops around 20kg to make a bout, was charged with driving with cocaine and cannabis in his system in Maroubra six weeks after being charged with another criminal offence he also escaped a conviction for.

Harbutt’s lawyer Isabelle Worrad told the court the Philippines-born fighter had dreams of progressing his career in the United States and a drug driving conviction would leave that in jeopardy.

Harbutt has dreams of reaching new heights with overseas bouts with the UFC. Picture. Phil Hillyard

In a 2019 profile Harbutt had spoken of his dreams to follow fellow Sydney fighter Robert Whittaker into the MMA promised land of the UFC and how in fight weeks he would go more than 30 hours without food to make weight.

Ms Worrad told the court Harbutt needed his licence not only to spar with up and coming UFC fighters in the organisation’s western Sydney gym, but also to care for his sick father.

“His father has had multiple heart attacks and is his sole carer after a quadruple bypass,” she said.

His drug driving came six weeks after a booze fuelled altercation at a funeral for which Harbutt was charged, the court heard.

He had undertaken a drug addiction program and personally paid for drug tests to prove he was committed to staying on the right path the court was told. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Ms Worrad had tendered four glowing character references on Harbutt’s behalf and said he had since completed a substance abuse program in a bid to show how serious he was about not throwing away his career prospects.

“At the end of the day … it’s not all about you, this is your responsibility and I am saying to you it is not my problem (if Harbutt cannot travel overseas),” Magistrate Jacqueline Trad said.

Magistrate Trad sentenced him to an 18-month conditional release order but did not record a conviction.

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