MIXED MARTIAL ARTS: IT has been a long time coming, but finally Scottish fight fans will see one of their own grace the famous octagon of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Robert Whiteford has been handed a late call-up to replace the injured Mike Wilkinson and will face Jimmy Hettes in a featherweight bout at UFC Fight Night 30 on Saturday at the Phones 4U Arena in Manchester.
The judo black belt from Fauldhouse, West Lothian, was given less than a week's notice for his UFC debut, but is full of confidence ahead of the biggest night of his life and easily the most significant fight in Scottish mixed martial arts (MMA) history.
The 30-year-old, nicknamed The flying Judoka, said: "When I got the news, I was on the verge of tears.
"I've been waiting for my chance for a year and I knew the only way I'd get in the UFC was as a late replacement, and most probably on a show in the UK.
"I'd given up hope with a week to go, but my chance is here and I'm going to take it.
"I'm going to be in Jimmy's face from the word go and he's going to find out exactly what skills I possess."
Whiteford, who represents the Dinky Ninja Fight Team and trains at Glasgow's Griphouse Gym - as well as working with American Top Team in Florida - has a record of 10 wins and one defeat.
He is a remarkable talent and has long been touted as among the most likely to be the first Scot in the UFC, alongside Dinky Ninja team-mates Steven Ray, Paul McVeigh and Graham Turner.
He tried out for a place on the UFC's reality TV show The Ultimate Fighter a year ago and was told then by UFC bosses that he was firmly on their radar, despite not making it onto the cast.
His reward for his patience - and for stepping in at the last minute - is a four-fight deal with the world's premier MMA organisation.
Usually, Whiteford would fly out to American Top Team (ATT) for fight preparation.
Whiteford said: "A week isn't ideal, but I was told to be ready and I'm in great shape.
"I'd have taken it on a day's notice. There was no way I'd say no to the UFC.
"With a four-fight deal, money won't be the problem it has been so for my future UFC fights I'll go out to ATT as usual.
"But his time I didn't know for sure I'd have a fight so it was a big expense to go over there when there might not have been a fight for me.
"I have been training hard with my training partners at the Griphouse and I'll have Dean Reilly and Paul McVeigh in my corner, along with (UFC bantamweight star) Brad Pickett from ATT.
"I'm only slightly heavier than I normally would be this close to a fight so I don't see the weight cut being a problem."
As is always the case when the UFC comes to the UK, a large number of Scots will be in the crowd in Manchester.
And for the first time they'll have one of their own to cheer on.
Although he is thrilled at being the first Scot to step into the most famous cage in the world, Whiteford insists a fight's a fight, wherever it takes place.
"I'm struggling to imagine how big this is for other people, because for me it's just another fight, the same as being back at Alloa Town Hall," he said.
"But I will fly the flag for Scotland and I'm very proud to represent my country.
"I know there will be a lot of Scottish people there and I can't put into words how proud I am.
"The UFC won't know what they've let themselves in for though.
"I'm the most opinionated guy in Scottish MMA and now the world will have to listen to me.
"The UFC have created a monster and I'm here to make an impression."
* Robert Whiteford v Jimmy Hettes is expected to stream for free on Facebook along with the other early undercard bouts. Find and 'like' the UFC on Facebook for access.
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