Dublin Calling: Robert Whiteford Interview
Scottish MMA trail blazer Robert Whiteford’s career in the UFC is heading in the right direction. In his first fight, Rob lost to tough out Jimy Hettes on only a few days notice – a performance Rob is adamant was not demonstrative of his abilities.
Next up was UFC veteran Daniel Pineda, who Rob defeated via decision. The performance felt “safe” and rightly so; Rob needed to get off the mark. Then, at UFC Glasgow, a star was born. Rob finally delivered the performance Scotland knew could come – a first round KO of Irishman Paul Redmond infront of a sold out SSE Hydro. That performance, perhaps the first time the world saw the “real” Rob, obviously alerted the attention of UFC brass, as for his next fight, this Saturday in Dublin, Rob has been matched up with a “ranked” fighter – world #14 Darren Elkins.
Elkins (18-5) , comfortably the best opponent Rob has ever fought, did not get his place in the UFC rankings by accident. “The Damage” holds UFC victories over Duane Ludwig, Michihiro Omigawa, Diego Brandao, Lucas Martins and Hatsu Hioki on his resume, and has also shared the octagon with Jeremy Stephens, Charles Oliviera and even Chad Mendes.
That is not even a complete list of Elkin’s opponents in the UFC; a win for Whiteford in this one would be a massive statement, not only due to Elkin’s ranking, but also Elkins’ massive edge in UFC experience against quality opposition. Elkins also has a very similar grinding, grappling orientated style to Jimy Hettes, arguably being a level above even Hettes in the grappling facet of the game. A win over Elkins would really prove to the world that Rob’s performance against Hettes was a short notice outlier, and would also allow Rob to answer the infamous “wrestler question” that is asked of everyone in the UFC eventually!
We caught up with Rob to get his thoughts on the match up, fighting in Dublin and find out how his training has been for his upcoming fight, available to view on Fight Pass this Saturday!
Fighting in Glasgow was obviously a dream come true and it certainly lived up to and smashed expectations but what does fighting in Ireland mean to you, has the buzz of Glasgow worn off and this becomes another fight or is this up there with Glasgow for excitement?
“Nah, the buzz from Glasgow will be with me forever, it was the first UFC to come to Scotland, and I was the first Scot to fight on the card. Ireland is a very similar country to Scotland, small fighting nation, and it’ll be some atmosphere on Saturday night as well. Excitement is there, but so is the calmness I feel when I am fighting, its hard to describe.”
What is it that training at American Top Team gives you that the Griphouse can’t?
“People keep asking me this, so I think it’s time to set the record straight. I am grateful for everything the guys at the Griphouse done for me and still do. I regularly train there when I am back in Scotland, it’s a great bunch. Dean Reily is in my corner for every fight alongside Mike Brown and Conan. The things is that America has 300 million people, and ATT is the best gym in American in my opinion. There is a stable of over 40 UFC fighters, training daily, often peaking at the same time. So sparring and build up works hand in hand. Dustin headlining this show couldn’t have been more perfect for me, as he’s around the same weight, so training can be synchronized and periodised to fit.
That is in no means a slur on the Griphouse or Scottish MMA – Scotland is a small country whose MMA scene is still growing, and I always try to help that when I’m back, training, sparring, doing seminars. At the same time, to take things to the top, you need to have a good number of fighters around you pushing you, so if you are having a slow start to a camp, you are quickly kicked into order. At ATT there is the best from Brazil, America, Russia, Europe, it’s just a different level.”
Many fighters travel abroad to train but do you think a fighter needs to train in the U.S to be world class?
“Of course you don’t “need “ to travel to the US to be World Class, there are great fighters all around the world, I mean look at Alexander Gustaffson or Fedor, but at the same time, you need to be pushed, whether that is through traveling, camps, or because your base can push you. It shouldn’t be about where you train but how you perform. I am Scottish, proud to be and it doesn’t matter that I train at American Top Team, often the day I come home from the US I am in Glasgow at the Griphouse or at my Boxing club in Fauldhouse training.”
Are you at all concerned stylistically about Darren Elkins? he has a very similar style to Jimy Hettes. How useful has Nik Lentz been in preparing for a similar stylistic fighter?
“Nik is an awesome fighter, and a good friend. This taps into your previous two questions, I have had Nik to train with who is around the same weight for this fight. He is a World Class UFC ranked fighter in my weight category.”
What do you think needs to happen for Scotland to have a star in the nature of Conor McGregor?
“They already have one, the just haven’t realised it yet.”
There are some great match-ups on this card, as a fan which fight are you most looking forward to?
“I’m focused on my own fight, of course. But Dustin is a close friend and team-mate and I’ll be routing from him in the main event.”
UFC Dublin will be live on UFC FIGHT PASS to audiences in the UK & Ireland. Oct 24th. In addition, fans in Ireland can catch the action from the main card live on free to air channels Setanta Ireland and 3e, while in the UK the event will be broadcast on a delay on Pick.
Programming will start at 8:00 p.m. on 3e with UFC Breakdown followed by all of the action live from 9:00 p.m. on Setanta Ireland and 3e in Ireland and on a delay at 11:00 p.m. on Pick in the UK.
