Robert Whittaker's UFC career in pictures: The early setbacks that helped pave the way for Australia's first world champion
Updated . First published
How Aussie UFC star's career has played out
There's no doubting that Robert Whittaker is the pioneer of mixed martial arts in Australia and New Zealand.
Born in Auckland, the talented striker moved across the Tasman as an infant and began training before the age of 10.
As a teenager and young adult, Whittaker started competing on the local scene Down Under before being noticed by the UFC and signing a deal in 2012.
Some early setbacks aside, Whittaker would tear through the middleweight division on his path to becoming the first UFC champion from this part of the world.
Ahead of his next fight against Ikram Aliskerov, let's take a trip down memory lane and look at every fight from Whittaker's incredible UFC career.
December 2012: Whittaker def. Scott (UD)
The first fight of Whittaker's UFC career came against Brad Scott, with the Aussie securing a unanimous decision victory.
The result would see Whittaker crowned as the winner of The Ultimate Fighter and earn a full-time deal with the promotion.
May 2013: Whittaker def. Smith (TKO)
After winning TUF, Whittaker got his first crack on a pay-per-view card against Colton Smith, coming away with a third-round TKO win at UFC 160.
August 2013: McGee def. Whittaker (SD)
The first loss for Whittaker under the UFC umbrella came at the hands of Court McGee via split decision.
February 2014: Thompson def. Whittaker (TKO)
On the main card of UFC 170, Whittaker took on Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson and was stopped in less than 90 seconds.
It marked the second-straight loss for the Aussie inside the octagon.
June 2014: Whittaker def. Rhodes (UD)
Whittaker returned to the winner's circle against Mike Rhodes, securing a unanimous decision victory in Auckland.
November 2014: Whittaker def. Hester (TKO)
Whittaker kept things rolling, fighting for a third time in a calendar year and securing a second-round stoppage of Clint Hester.
It marked the first time "The Reaper" had competed at middleweight and the first time he secured Fight of the Night honours in his UFC tenure.
May 2015: Whittaker def. Tavares (KO)
The most impressive win of Whittaker's career up until this point came against Brad Tavares, earning a first-round knockout victory in Adelaide.
November 2015: Whittaker def. Hall (UD)
On the undercard at UFC 193, Whittaker pulled off an eye-catching win over Uriah Hall to cement himself as a contender.
On the same night, Holly Holm knocked out Ronda Rousey in one of the biggest upsets in combat sports history.
April 2016: Whittaker def. Natal (UD)
As he continued to climb the rankings, Whittaker moved past Rafael Natal with a unanimous decision triumph at UFC 197.
