ROBERT Whittaker is refusing to get caught up in the “bulls**t” of being Australia’s first UFC world champion, despite emerging as the overwhelming favourite for the country’s blockbuster ‘Super Sunday’ event.
Set to defend his middleweight belt for the first time at UFC 225 in Chicago, Whittaker is currently a $1.43 TAB favourite against Cuban rival Yoel Romero ($2.80).
On the same day in Las Vegas, Queensland boxer Jeff Horn will start a whopping $5 outsider as he looks to defend his WBO welterweight strap against undefeated American Terence Crawford.
Yet when quizzed on his short odds, Whittaker told The Daily Telegraph he was refusing to let any external chatter disrupt preparations for the biggest fight of his career.
Asked about the betting lines, the Sydney father-of-three said: “You should know by now that external sources, they don’t influence why I do things or how I feel.
“I’ve got my goals, my objectives and I’m driving towards them.
“This is my ride and I try to stay grounded.
“I’ve surrounded myself with a small, tight-knit group of people too, good people, to help me with that.
“And really it isn’t too hard.
“Not unless you want to get swept away in all the bullshit.”
But surely you’ve pictured UFC president Dana White wrapping that gold strap around your waist?
“Haven’t even given it a thought. Not once,” Whittaker continues.
“It doesn’t carry much significance because I don’t want to just be the UFC middleweight champion. I want to be the best ever.
“Plus, every fight has the same essence, the same intensity, the same threat.
“A belt doesn’t change that.”
Elsewhere, Whittaker also insisted he would not cancel his fight with Romero should the Cuban fail to make weight, as happened in his most recent KO win against American Luke Rockhold.
Back in February, Whittaker described Romero’s win as “shady”, while also insisting he would cancel the main event if he weighed heavy in Chicago.
While such a move would also make Romero ineligible to win the title, Whittaker said he would still fight if Romero came in above the 83.9kg limit.
“If Romero comes in heavy, I’ll have to bash him anyway,” Whittaker shrugs. “I really want to fight mate. I’m itching to fight.
“Obviously he has to make weight (if he wants to fight for the title). And it’s his job. It shouldn’t even be a question to be honest.
“Or a choice. He has to make weight.”
* The Daily Telegraph
