Ultimate Fighting Column: Australian UFC fighter Robert Whittaker earning $2,000 a second
FROM electrician to UFC fighter in just two years, Robert Whitaker is the most productive earner in Australian sport. His dollars per second win is eye-watering.
UFC fighter Robert Whittaker is, right now, the most productive earner in Australian sport — having pocketed a whopping $2000 per second in his most recent win.
A Cityrail electrician only two years ago, Whittaker has suddenly emerged as the new face of the Australian fight scene after cracking into the top 15 of the UFC middleweight division.
Last Sunday in Adelaide, the 24-year-old Sydneysider — whose first child is due to be born today — needed only 44 seconds to finish rising American Brad Tavares with a pair of devastating left hooks.
The Daily Telegraph understands Whittaker received around $90,000 for his dominant performance -- $20,000 for appearing, $20,000 for winning, plus a $50,000 performance bonus from UFC president Dana White.
The payday continues a rapid rise for the impending father who, despite being guaranteed only $40,000 for his past two fights, has instead earned almost five times that figure after also upsetting fellow American favourite Clint Hester.
So as for how he intends to spend the cash?
“Whatever my newborn needs,’’ Whittaker laughed. “Knowing that I’m now going to be there for the birth, it’s an absolute weight off my shoulders.
“Leading up to last Sunday’s fight, I tried to do everything I could to keep my mind off what was going on back home. But it’s only now, with everything done, that I realise what a weight it was.”
Despite missing her husband’s first fight as a professional, Sofia Whittaker was still at Sydney airport on Monday to greet the slugger when he returned from UFC Fight Night 65 in Adelaide.
The couple are expecting a baby boy.
The impeding birth continues a bumper week for the fighter who, on Monday, was moved into No. 14 on the middleweight rankings.
But as for who is next?
“I’ve never been one for calling guys out,’’ he said. “But know that if you’re above me in the rankings then, yeah, I want to fight you.”
WHO DO YOU WANT AT UFC 193?
UFC president Dana White has a pertinent question for Australian fight fans: which local scrapper do you most want to see at UFC 193?
While the Melbourne event is still six months away, White and his team are already deep into discussions about which fighters — and title bouts — should comprise the company’s first foray into Melbourne.
The Daily Telegraph understands Mark Hunt and Robert Whittaker are already guaranteed a place on the main card, with rising star Jake Matthews likely to head the undercard — despite having his undefeated streak broken by American James Vick last Sunday.
All of which leaves only two, maybe three spots, for Aussies.
“And we’d love to know what the fans think,’’ UFC Australia boss Tom Wright. “I’ve already had a lot of the fighters asking me personally for a spot and, thankfully, it isn’t my decision. But Dana and his team certainly have some deciding to do.”
UFC 193 MUST BE AT ETIHAD
UFC Australia boss Tom Wright insists Etihad Stadium remains the “preference” for UFC 193 in November — despite the company also booking Rod Laver Arena.
Speaking with The Daily Telegraph this week, Wright said his organisation had no choice but to book two venues for an event that is still six months away.
But does the large disparity between the venues — Rod Laver Arena seats only 15,000 fans compared to 56,000 at Etihad Stadium — suggest Aussies may not be getting the blockbuster card promised?
“Right now our preference is for a huge fight card,’’ Wright said. “So if that means Etihad Stadium then, yes, that’s the stadium we prefer.
“We only have once chance to make a first impression in Melbourne and the folks at Rod Laver Arena understand that. They know that if we’re not there this time, we will be in the future.
“But will this event be like UFC 129 in Toronto, where we got over 55,000 fans? That’s the challenge.
“But the simple reason for holding two venues is that, right now, the UFC still has no idea who will be featuring on cards in September and October — let alone November. So we’re really waiting to see how things sort out and which fighters are available.
“That’s the reality of how our sport works with injuries and so on. Regardless, there will be one great championship fight in Melbourne and there’s still every chance we will have two.”
MIOCIC HITS BACK AT CRITICS
STIPE Miocic has backed the cornermen for Mark Hunt — saying they were right not to throw in the towel despite their man copping a UFC record 361 punches.
Asked by Submission Radio this week if the fight should have been stopped long before the fifth round, Miocic replied: “You know what? Not my decision.
“Mark’s one of the most durable guys. He’s got a great chin and that’s what the referee probably thought too.
“I remember one time Mark did say ‘I’m fine’. He said literally ‘I’m fine’ in the middle of the fight.”
Asked if he would expect his corner to throw the towel in a similar situation, the Cleveland native added: “No. I would never let them throw in the towel.”
CHAMBERS REVEALS INSPIRATION BEHIND WIN
SYDNEY fighter Alex Chambers has revealed the secret spray which ignited her first UFC win. After being pummelled for the best part of 13 minutes against Kailin Curran in Adelaide last Sunday, Chambers dramatically sunk an armbar with only one minute, 45 seconds remaining. Afterwards the fighter dubbed Astro Girl revealed how, coming into the last round, her corner insisted she find a way to win “or your UFC career is over”. Chambers did. And pocketed a $50,000 performance bonus from the UFC.
WEIDMAN FOR UFC 193?
MIDDLEWEIGHT champ Chris Weidman is the latest superstar to be linked to UFC 193, Melbourne. The American fighter was only in Australia last November, supporting close friend Al Iaquinta who won on the Sydney card. Should he beat Vitor Belfort in May, the New Yorker could potentially have a blockbuster fight with No. 1 contender Luke Rockhold who, coincidentally, also fought on the Sydney card — beating Englishman Michael Bisping in the main event.
Elsewhere, Ronda Rousey — who defends her UFC title against Bethe Correia in August — remains a strong chance of fighting as the co-main on November 15.
The bantamweight champ is no stranger to short turnarounds, with her first five UFC outings coming within a year. Rousey also had only two months between defences against Miesha Tate and Sara McMann. Privately, UFC officials see her as the perfect fighter to help grow the sport Down Under.
Originally published as Ultimate Fighting Column: Australian UFC fighter Robert Whittaker earning $2,000 a second
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