Former UFC middleweight champion Robert “The Reaper” Whittaker tries to bounce back into championship contention when he battles Darren Till at UFC Fight Night 174 to be held at the Flash Forum, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi On July 26, Sunday.
Whittaker has not fought for nine months or since he was knocked out by Israel Adesanya in the second round at UFC 243 when he lost his crown last October 5, 2019.
He says the long break from fighting has allowed him to fully recover from injuries and he’s eager to get back inside the octagon to fight.
“It feels good. It feels really good. I was hungry. I’ve been hungry. That break I had was exactly what I needed. It lit a fire in me. It brought back the happiness and enjoyment in what I do,” said Whittaker in an online interview.
While the fight itself is just 25 minutes, the training and daily grind takes a toll on the fighter according to the former champion.
“I had to start enjoying again. And just having that break. Being away from the game, away from the training and away from the gyms, it just lit that fire in me. It re-invigorated me,” said Whittaker.
He added that the closed-door setting of the fight did not bother him because he was just excited to be able to travel the world to fight.
“That (absence of an audience) does not bother me so much. The thing is, I’m just happy to be fighting overseas. I’ve fought a lot in Australia. And I love fighting there,” said Whittaker.
“But at the same time, I get to travel the world. I get to visit exciting places for work. I get to fight in front of different crowds. I get to experience the sort of life other people can’t. Granted it’s a little restricted right now. But it’s good. I’ve always wanted to come to places like Abu Dhabi.”
Whittaker said he does not feel any pressure to try to recover the championship he once held. He is just enjoying the game, enjoying the sport and enjoying training in the game.
“People view me as a top contender because I am a top contender. I am one of the best in the world. I’m still only 29, I think a lot of people forget that as well. So I have enough time to walk away from the game, train skillsets, and come back at a later time,” said Whittaker.
“Honestly the world is my oyster (from) where I am sitting. I guess my biggest thing is, I want to enjoy it and earn a living. As a team and as a family we’re doing it together. So, gotta be happy with that.”