One of the great fighters in the middleweight category (up to 83,9 kg) of the last ten years, Robert Whittaker finds himself in a new phase of his career. Approaching his 35th birthday and coming off two consecutive losses, the Australian admitted in an interview with 'Submission Radio' this Monday (1) that the chances of returning to the top of the category in the short or medium term are low.
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Although he didn't talk about retirement, Whittaker was honest in admitting that the setback suffered against Reinier de Ridder in the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi has distanced him significantly from another title shot.
"The belt feels like a distant dream right now. After losing to RDR, it's another defeat, it takes me much further away from the title than I'd like... Right now, my trajectory has changed a bit. I still have a few fights ahead of me. I want to enjoy the journey, I want to enjoy the fights... I want my family to be a part of this... I'm not closing any doors, but I understand the work I have ahead of me," the fighter stated.
Robert Whittaker says winning a UFC title is 'a pipe dream' at this point in his career
"The belt is like a pipe dream at the moment. After losing to RDR, it's another loss, it pushes me back much further than I want to be from the title...
Right now, my trajectory has kind… pic.twitter.com/DKgLHSHwJb
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) September 1, 2025
In addition to his split decision loss to the Dutchman at the end of July, Whittaker was also brutally dominated by Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308. On that occasion, he was submitted in the first round with a choke and had his teeth damaged by the force of the hold. More recently, the Chechen defeated Dricus Du Plessis and became the new middleweight champion (up to 83,9 kg).
Whittaker's teeth were pushed in after Chimaev struck him / Reproduction
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