Tell me a bio of Robert Whittaker (fighter).

Include key facts about their life, career, achievements, and impact.

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Robert Whittaker is a New Zealand-born Australian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Here's a brief bio of his life, career, achievements, and impact:

**Early Life**

Robert Whittaker was born on December 20, 1990, in Auckland, New Zealand. He moved to Australia with his family at a young age and grew up in Menai, New South Wales. Whittaker began training in martial arts at the age of 7, starting with karate and later transitioning to Brazilian jiu-jitsu and wrestling.

**Career**

Whittaker made his professional MMA debut in 2009, competing in various Australian promotions. He quickly racked up a string of victories, earning a contract with the UFC in 2012. Whittaker made his UFC debut at UFC on FX 6, defeating Brad Scott via unanimous decision.

**Rise to Prominence**

Whittaker's career gained momentum in 2014, when he won The Ultimate Fighter: Smashes as a welterweight. He then moved up to middleweight and began a streak of victories, including wins over Clint Hester, Brad Tavares, and Rafael Natal.

**Championship Reign**

On July 8, 2017, Whittaker defeated Yoel Romero at UFC 213 to become the interim Middleweight Champion. He was later promoted to undisputed champion after Georges St-Pierre vacated the title. Whittaker successfully defended his title against Romero in a rematch at UFC 225, and then against Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 234.

**Achievements**

Whittaker's achievements include:

* UFC Middleweight Champion (2017-2019)
* The Ultimate Fighter: Smashes winner (2012)
* UFC Performance of the Night (4 times)
* UFC Fight of the Night (2 times)

**Impact**

Whittaker's impact on the sport of MMA is significant. He is widely regarded as one of the best middleweights in the world, known for his well-rounded skillset, aggressive fighting style, and ability to finish fights with both strikes and submissions. Whittaker's success has also helped to popularize MMA in Australia and New Zealand, inspiring a new generation of fighters from the region.

**Personal Life**

Whittaker is married to Sofia Whittaker, and the couple has two children together. He is known for his humble and down-to-earth personality, often speaking about the importance of his family and his Indigenous Australian heritage.

Overall, Robert Whittaker is a highly accomplished and respected figure in the world of MMA, known for his exciting fighting style, his dedication to his craft, and his commitment to his family and community.
Here's a bio of Robert Whittaker, the Australian mixed martial artist:

**Early Life**

Robert Whittaker was born on December 20, 1990, in Auckland, New Zealand. He moved to Australia with his family at a young age and grew up in Menai, New South Wales. Whittaker began training in Kyokushin karate at the age of 7 and later transitioned to taekwondo and kickboxing.

**Career**

Whittaker started his professional mixed martial arts career in 2009, competing in various Australian promotions. He quickly racked up an impressive record, earning a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 2012. Whittaker made his UFC debut at UFC on FX 2, defeating Brad Scott via unanimous decision.

**Rise to Prominence**

Whittaker's breakthrough came in 2013 when he won The Ultimate Fighter: Australia vs. UK: Nations tournament, defeating Bradley Scott in the final. This victory earned him a six-figure contract with the UFC. Over the next few years, Whittaker went on to defeat notable opponents such as Cláudio Henrique da Silva, Jake Collier, and Rafael Natal.

**Middleweight Title Reign**

In 2017, Whittaker challenged Yoel Romero for the interim middleweight title at UFC 213. He won the fight via unanimous decision, becoming the first Australian to hold a UFC championship title. Whittaker was later promoted to undisputed middleweight champion after Georges St-Pierre vacated the title.

Whittaker successfully defended his title against Romero in a rematch at UFC 225, earning a split decision victory. He then faced Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 234, but the fight was cancelled due to a last-minute surgery to repair a hernia. Whittaker ultimately lost the title to Israel Adesanya at UFC 243 in 2019.

**Achievements and Impact**

Throughout his career, Whittaker has achieved numerous accolades:

* First Australian to hold a UFC championship title
* UFC Middleweight Champion (2017-2019)
* Winner of The Ultimate Fighter: Australia vs. UK: Nations tournament
* 10-3 record in the UFC
* 6 performance bonuses in the UFC (Fight of the Night, Performance of the Night)

Whittaker's impact on the sport extends beyond his fighting career. He has been an inspiration to Australian and New Zealand fighters, paving the way for others to follow in his footsteps. His charismatic personality and exciting fighting style have made him a fan favorite in the UFC.

**Personal Life**

Whittaker is married to Sofia Broadus, and the couple has two children together. He is known for his down-to-earth personality and often speaks about the importance of family and mental health in his life. Whittaker is also a passionate advocate for mental health awareness and has spoken publicly about his own struggles with anxiety and depression.

Overall, Robert Whittaker is a talented and resilient fighter who has made a significant impact on the world of mixed martial arts.