Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker is determined to win back his belt once again. His recent run of form inside the Octagon has been outstanding, and he is unbeaten in his last two outings. ‘The Reaper’ holds the distinction of being the first UFC champion from Australia and is already one of the biggest icons in the promotion. However, being a star comes with its own downsides, as people always desire to know more about your personal life.

One of the things that the MMA community wants to know is the religion of their favorite fighter and what kind of belief system they follow. So, without any further delay, let us find out what religion ‘Bobby Knuckles’ follows.

Is Robert Whittaker a Christian?

‘The Reaper’ was born on the 20th of December 1990 in Otahuhu, Auckland, New Zealand. He was born to an Anglo-Australian father, Jack Whittaker, and a Mouri-Samoan mother, Jewel Whittaker. Many UFC fighters have openly spoken about their religion, but Whittaker is a bit different. The 33-year-old prefers to keep a low profile and hardly shares anything about his religion. However, looking at his surname and Maori history, it can be believed he follows Christianity.

Robert Whittaker was last seen inside the Octagon at UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov in June earlier this year when he took on Ikram Aliskerov on very short notice. But the former champion made easy work of his opponent and knocked him out in the first round itself. Whittaker’s rise to the top is a story of sheer determination and hard work. He has been one of the most consistent performers in the middleweight division. The former champion will now be taking on Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308 in a highly anticipated middleweight clash. The pair was previously scheduled to fight each other at the same event where Whittaker faced Aliskerov but ‘Borz’ pulled out after a major illness.

However, not many people know about his early life and his struggles. As he prepares for his next battle, we look at Robert Whittaker’s journey to the top of the UFC.

More about Robert Whittaker’s upbringing and roots

Robert Whittaker and his father moved to Australia from New Zealand at a very young age, when he was just ten years old. Growing up in Australia, Whittaker’s introduction to combat sports started early. His father enrolled him in Goju-Ryu Karate at the age of 7, hoping to instill discipline and self-defense skills. Whittaker later transitioned to Hapkido and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, laying the foundation for his eventual rise in MMA.

His upbringing was marked by a strong work ethic and commitment to training, and this discipline led him to become one of the best fighters in the UFC. Whittaker will now be facing one of the biggest challenges of his career when he takes on Khamzat Chimaev. ‘Borz’ has lost a bit of momentum in the division after he faced multiple health scares in the recent past. But the Chechen fighter has taken a completely different approach this around and is confident of making a strong comeback. The pair will battle it out in a five-round fight, which many feel is a strong point for Whittaker.

‘The Reaper’ is one of the most conditioned athletes in the division and also is a profound wrestler. However, one cannot rule out Khamzat Chimaev just because of the kind of threat he possesses. Who do you think will win the fight between the two? Let us know your picks in the comments below.