What Does Robert Whittaker’s Tattoos Mean? How Does UFC Champ Honor His Father Through His Chest Ink?

Unlike most fighters, Robert ‘The Reaper’ Whittaker has tattoos that give a shoutout to his family. Most men put inks on their bodies to intimidate their opponents. But Whittaker seems to have taken a different approach. Despite being one of the deadliest fighters in the welterweight division, Whittaker is a stand-up guy when he’s outside the cage. And his tattoos symbolize just that.

But why does the reaper hit his chest tattoo before every fight? Let’s take a deep dive and find out the story behind his chest and arm tattoos.

Robert Whittaker’s chest tattoo- A tribute to his father

Before the start of every fight in the UFC, the former middleweight champion has a ritual of hitting his Southern Cross tattoo on his chest. Though it might seem like a way of hyping himself up before a fight, the reaper revealed that the act has a way deeper meaning embedded into the routine.

Whittaker had gotten the Southern Cross tattoo when he was 18. The person who took him to get the tattoo was none other than his father, Jack Whittaker. The two seem to have a very close bond and the reason for the 31-year-old hitting his chest is to show his father that he has him in his thoughts.

“My father got me that tattoo when I was 18. When I walk into the octagon, I always tap my chest to show that whether he’s in the crowd or in the stands or at home, he knows that I’m thinking of him. It’s my way to show him that I know he’s watching,” said Whittaker, about his Southern Cross.

Whittaker has another massive tattoo on his arm, which also holds significant value for the Reaper. But is this piece of art also a shoutout to his family?

Meaning behind Whittaker’s arm tattoo

Robert Whittaker has a massive tribal tattoo on the right side of his arm. People speculate that the tattoo is because of his part Samoan heritage. However, though true to some extent, the tribal tattoo also holds a deeper meaning behind it.

‘The Reaper’ got the tribal tattoo in dedication of his mother who was from New Zealand. The 33-year-old’s parents split while he was young, which was the reason for the former middle champ not being able to spend time with his Kiwi family. Despite this, he still honors his mother and his Maori Heritage with the tattoo.

Nevertheless, ‘Bobby Knuckles’ has got yet another chance at flaunting his tattoos, as he gets ready to fight Khamzat Chimaev. While it won’t be a 5-round bout, Whittaker can certainly garner quite a bit of attention at the co-main event in Abu Dhabi. Will Robert Whittaker be able to inch closer to a fight for redemption against the middleweight champion, Dricus Du Plessis by beating Chimaev? Well, that’s something that only time has the power to tell. But one thing is for sure. He will receive massive support from his family and friends as he steps into the Octagon at Etihad Arena.

Do you think this support will be enough for Whittaker to get a win against Chimaev? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.