Robert Whiteford, born April 12, 1983, is a seasoned Scottish mixed martial artist competing in the Featherweight division. A professional since 2009, Whiteford has made significant strides in his career, notably becoming the first Scottish fighter signed by the UFC. His journey includes stints in Bellator MMA and Absolute Championship Berkut, culminating in his recent appearance at PFL Europe 3.
Early Career and Training
Whiteford boasts a strong background in judo and Muay Thai. He initially trained with “Hostile Territory” at “The Dojo” in Alloa before joining the renowned Dinky Ninja Fight Team (DNFT) at The Griphouse Gym in Glasgow. Currently, he trains in South Florida at American Top Team, and has also spent time training with “Sweden All Stars” in Stockholm. His professional debut in 2009 saw him competing in regional promotions across the United Kingdom, where he amassed a 10-1 record before his UFC signing in 2013.
Adding to his athletic achievements, Whiteford won a bronze medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Judo Championships in the senior male under 73 kg category.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
Whiteford’s UFC debut came on October 26, 2013, as a short-notice replacement against Jimy Hettes at UFC Fight Night 30, where he lost via submission. He later secured a unanimous decision victory against Daniel Pineda at UFC 171. Scheduled bouts against Dennis Siver were canceled due to injuries.
He achieved a first-round knockout victory over Paul Redmond at UFC Fight Night 72, followed by a unanimous decision loss to Darren Elkins at UFC Fight Night 76. His final UFC fight was a split decision loss to Lucas Martins at UFC Fight Night 86, leading to his release from the promotion.
Bellator MMA and PFL Europe
After a successful run in Absolute Championship Berkut, Whiteford signed with Bellator. His debut at Bellator London 2 saw him knock out Sam Sicilia in the final seconds of their bout. A no contest against Andrew Fisher at Bellator 267 due to eye pokes was followed by a TKO loss to Daniel Weichel at Bellator 281.
After a two-year layoff, Whiteford returned to action at PFL Europe 3 on September 28, 2024, facing fellow UFC veteran Roger Huerta. He won the fight via unanimous decision, marking a successful return to competition.
Robert Whiteford’s MMA Career Highlights:
- First Scottish fighter signed by the UFC.
- Competed in UFC, Bellator MMA, Absolute Championship Berkut, and PFL Europe.
- Bronze medalist at the 2006 Commonwealth Judo Championships.
- Notable victories, including a knockout win in Bellator and a recent unanimous decision in PFL Europe.
- Trained at American Top Team and The Griphouse Gym.
Robert Whiteford’s career reflects a journey of resilience and dedication, marking him as a significant figure in Scottish and international MMA.
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