ROBERT WHITEFORD may be nearing the end of his career but the mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter is in the form of his life.
At 35 years of age, most fighters would be contemplating when to hang up the gloves but instead Whiteford is enjoying fighting like never before and he has never felt quite as relaxed as he does these days.
It is quite a statement from someone who earns a living from punching, grappling and kicking opponents.
“It’s never felt easier for me,” the Fauldhouse fighter said.
“I haven’t got a clue where I am in my career - I’m 35 so I’m obviously at the tail-end of it but physically and mentally, I feel better than ever.”
The featherweight’s most recent outing was in May, where he defeated Englishman Kane Mousah by split decision at ABC 87. The build-up was marred with trash-talking and from the outside, the fight itself looked brutal. But it is those kind of battles Whiteford relishes.
“Physically, it was very hard because I wrestled the guy from the word go so I was stuck to him like glue,” he said of the bout.
“For anyone who knows wrestling or grappling, it’s pretty intense to do it for even just a few minutes never mind fifteen minutes like I did.
“And when it’s a build-up like that, with him being quite mouthy, I do quite like it and it does put a spring in my step but what I don’t like is the disrespect. But I’m from Fauldhouse so I’m used to that kind of chat and it gets my blood pumping.
“I’d prefer that it didn’t go down that route and we just kept it respectful but there’s some people who don’t go that way. I don’t like stooping to that level though and if I get too emotional, it affects how I fight.”
While MMA is one of, if not the most physical of sports, it is Whiteford’s mental state that has taken him to this new level. He took six months out of the sport last year to get married and the break, he believes, did him the world of good.
And having competed in UFC, the very highest level of MMA, he has, he admits, achieved everything he ever dreamt of in the sport and so as a result, he is now just enjoying the ride with his vast experience ensuring he is equipped to deal with whatever his opponent throws at him.
“I really don’t have anything left that I still want to achieve - I’ve accomplished everything I set out to do,” he said.
“It feels pretty crazy when you get to that point in your career. I’m a realist – I was fighting in the UFC and to get to that level is a great achievement.
“I’m now fighting for the second biggest organisation in the sport and so I’m just happy that I’m still relevant, that there’s still people wanting to pay to watch me fight. As long as I can make a living from it then I’m happy.
“I think it’s also because I’m not taking things quite as seriously these days either so I feel under less pressure. Before when I was fighting, I was always wanting to be the best and win belts. And I was always trying to prove myself but I’m 35 now, I’ve got nothing to prove to anyone anymore.”
While Whiteford is well aware that the end of his career is unlikely to be too far away, it is certainly not imminent. Whiteford’s next outing is yet to be confirmed but with his training going quite so well, he is undaunted by whoever he may face.
“Training it’s coming easy to me at the moment and I’m feeling really great,” he said.
“I’m getting up earlier than I ever have – I use to be a nightmare getting up in the morning but now, I’m out running first thing.
“I still love it - it doesn’t feel like a job at all at the moment.”
While retirement remains something of a distant prospect for Whiteford, he admits he has had the odd fantasy abut what he might end up doing when he finally steps out of the octagon for the last time. And it couldn’t be further from his current job of beating people up for a living.
“I’d love to open a coffee shop,” he reveals.
“I’d love to wake up every morning, put on some decent clothes and do my hair every day. I’ve been in training gear since I was 16 so I’d love a job where I could dress smartly and not have to get sweaty and tired.
“That’s what I’m thinking but whether it happens or not, we’ll have to see.”
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