Robert Whittaker’s Ethnicity, Nationality, and Parents: Where Is the UFC Star From?

Former UFC middleweight champion, Robert ‘The Reaper’ Whittaker is gearing up to take on the Russian up-and-comer, Ikram Aliskerov at UFC on ABC 6 in Saudi Arabia. Whittaker had been on an absolute roll following the loss to UFC middleweight champion, Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 290 as he jumped right back with a win against Paulo Costa at UFC 298 and Ikram Aliskerov at UFC Saudi Arabia. Now, Whittaker’ll be back for his rescheduled clash against the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308.

‘The Reaper’ is probably one of the best fighters in the division and has been for a while. Despite Whittaker’s massive rise in the sport, many are confused about the ethnicity of the former middleweight champion. Let’s clear the doubt surrounding it.

What is Robert Whittaker’s ethnicity and nationality?

Robert Whittaker was born on the 20th of December 1990 in Ōthuhu, Auckland, New Zealand. Despite “Bobby Knuckles” being born in New Zealand, he rocks the Australian flag when he goes fight inside the UFC octagon. However, this doesn’t mean that he has abandoned his Mauri heritage, as he has a tattoo on his arm, paying homage to his Samoan ancestry.

Robert Whittaker and his father moved to Australia from New Zealand when he was 10 years old, which led to him being raised by his father, Jack Whittaker, as a single parent. Some of you might even remember former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya questioning Whittaker’s ethnicity in the past.

However, regardless of what anyone says about his ethnicity and nationality, ‘The Reaper’ seems least bothered by it. This is probably because Whittaker is secure enough about where he comes from and what he represents. Whittaker is proud of rocking the Australian flag but also has a deep love for New Zealand given his Polynesian roots. Now, let’s move over to talk about ‘The Reaper’s family, especially his parents.

Who are Robert Whittaker’s parents?

Robert Whittaker was born to an Anglo-Australian father, Jack Whittaker, and a Mouri-Samoan mother, Jewel Whittaker, but he shares a special bond with his father. Most fans must have noticed a tattoo of a Southern Cross on the former champion’s left chest. That tattoo was inked when he was 18 years old and who do you think persuaded the UFC star to do that? Well, it was his father, Jack Whittaker. In fact, ‘The Reaper’ always beats his chest during his fights, which is a way of respecting and communicating with his father.

Jack Whittaker played an instrumental role in helping build his son’s personality. The fact that he would be there full-time for Robert and his siblings when they were younger helped the former world champion become a father to his five children by taking inspiration from his father.

Family bonding is an important aspect for not only Robert Whittaker but for most people, including other athletes. And, in a sport like MMA, where, more or less, anything goes, fate can change in an instant and the fighters’ families will always be there to support them. But fans would wonder what led ‘The Reaper’ to choose MMA. Let’s explore that bit of his life.

How did ‘The Reaper’ start fighting? Early life

The Oceanic nation of Australia has made its mark on a number of sporting disciples. From cricket to rugby to tennis, you name it, the country has produced some serious sporting talents. As such, Robert Whittaker also loved competing in sports. But what made him love more was fighting, and that passion, which started in 2009, helped him become one of the best fighters in the world.

“I started fighting in ‘09. I’ve always loved competing in sports and I’ve always loved the thrill of the fight,” Robert Whittaker told the UFC. A supportive family and a career that not many MMA fighters seem to be on the right track for the former middleweight champion.

Nevertheless, family time will have to take a back seat for now because it’s time for Robert Whittaker to fight. As he sets his eyes on inching closer to title contention, it will be important for him to edge past Khamzat Chimaev, who’s one of the most highly-rated fighters on the UFC roster.