Thirty-three-year-old Robert Whittaker is nearing the end of his career. Looks like the former UFC champion is not going to stick around in the promotion for long. Whittaker recently opened up to MMA icon Demetrious Johnson about his potential plans for retirement. Here is what happened:
Robert Whittaker envisions stepping away from MMA around the age of 36. That would give him about two and a half more years in the sport. It looks like the fighter wants to make a new start away from fighting.
I’m thinking of wrapping it up around 36, that’s around two-and-a-half years. I feel like 36 is a good age to really have a solid crack at something else, whatever it is I want to do.
Robert Whittaker on Mighty
Despite thinking ahead to retirement, Whittaker remains fully focused on his career. He emphasized the importance of maintaining his mental energy for fighting and avoiding distractions, but also continuing his investment strategies, such as purchasing land and properties.
Robert Whittaker says he plans on retiring from MMA in two and a half years at age 36:
“I feel like 36 is a good age to like really have a solid crack at something else, whatever it is I want to do, you know?”
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Regarding his next fight, Whittaker mentioned that he is ready to face Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308. He remains open to waiting for a title fight, especially if it is against the winner of the upcoming Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya bout.
Robert Whittaker reveals the real reason for the loss to Dricus Du Plessis
So what is next for Robert Whittaker? In the interview, the thirty-three-year-old said that he was not moving into anything that he needed to dedicate too much focus towards. Because he believes that everything he did that was not fighting, would take away a little bit of that mental mind space he has.
Robert Whittaker on fight with Dricus Du Plessis (Image via Imago)He also reflected on his loss to reigning champion Dricus Du Plessis. Whittaker lost to the South African back at UFC 290 and realized that high-level competition in MMA is demanding and if one is not willing to give everything they have for it, their opponent will and that is when they lose.
I’ve tried juggling things in the past, especially around that Dricus fight, where I’ve tried juggling another business at the same time and even if you aren’t actively thinking about it, that little bit of reserve space taken up by your company is there.
Robert Whittaker on Mighty
Whittaker said he cannot let himself down like that, especially not while he is competing. The former champion said he is not playing games and really makes a conscious effort on “pushing back a lot of stuff”.
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