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Robert Whittaker talks about his struggle to gain an international following.
Reigning UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker is one of the most popular fighters in Australia, but the 28-year-old has struggled to gain a following in the United States.
Whittaker, who was born in New Zealand but fights out of Sydney, Australia, has sold out events on home turf but admits it has been difficult to win over the US crowd. This despite the fact that ‘The Reaper’s’ last two fights in the US earned Fight of the Night honors.
“That’s a good question, that’s a very good question,” Whittaker responded when asked why he hasn’t gained much of a following outside of Australia, per a Q&A with Grange TV (h/t Abhinav Kini of The Body Lock MMA). “You know, a little bit. For the obvious reasons. One, I’m in Australia, the time zone is different as well as cultural and social differences that make translating a little bit hard. Especially when the distance is honestly like a 20 hour flight, that’s a big difference.
“The second one is, it’s hard for me to have a presence in the US without being in the US, going to US events, showing my face on US stuff in US hours.”
Fortunately for Whittaker (and the UFC), the Sydney-based fighter will return to Australia when he takes on surging middleweight Israel Adesanya in a highly anticipated title unification bout at UFC 243. The PPV extravaganza will take place later this year, October 6 at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.