The potential farewell of a long-standing fan favorite has stirred emotions among the UFC community.
It`s always a poignant moment when veteran fighters, who have become integral to the UFC roster, decide to hang up their gloves in the Octagon.
A recent example was Paul Craig`s retirement at UFC Paris, concluding a career marked by exciting performances and memorable moments.
Conversely, Jon Jones`s significant retirement earlier this year was swiftly reversed when he re-entered the testing pool.
Now, fans are wondering if another contemporary legend might be transitioning to a life away from fighting, prompted by a recent development.
Concerns Rise About Robert Whittaker`s Future Following UFC Broadcast Announcement
The UFC is returning to Perth, Australia, this weekend for a Fight Night event at the RAC Arena.
Although Dominick Reyes and Carlos Ulberg will headline the card, another fighter`s presence is expected to generate the most excitement from the local crowd.
Reports indicate that a new desk analyst will join the commentary team of Brendan Fitzgerald, Dominick Cruz, and Paul Felder.
This new analyst, working alongside Felder, is none other than Robert Whittaker, a former UFC champion who is still an active competitor.
At 34 years old, `The Reaper` has an extensive record of 24 UFC bouts and is currently experiencing consecutive losses for the first time in his middleweight career.
Following his recent defeat to Reinier de Ridder, questions arose about Whittaker`s next steps, and a broadcasting role now appears to be a potential path.
While supporters were enthusiastic about the respected veteran`s new endeavor, they couldn`t help but express concern about its implications for his future as a fighter.
Fan reactions varied, with one commenting, “I’ve always valued his fight analysis, so I’m keen to see him on the desk,” while others were more direct. Comments like “Khamzat [Chimaev] really pushed this guy into a new career path,” “We all understand what this signifies,” and “He knows his fighting days are winding down and he`s getting ready for his next chapter” were common. Many echoed sentiments such as “This is typically the initial sign of retirement” and “Retirement is imminent.”
Robert Whittaker`s Lingering Goal: Fighting in Front of Australian Fans
Despite the speculation, Robert Whittaker remains candid about his future aspirations, with one significant goal still on his mind.
Immediately after his last loss, `The Reaper` expressed a strong desire to fight again in front of his Australian fans.
“It`s been a long time, and honestly, I truly miss it. I haven`t fought in Australia for a while, and I`d love to compete here again. It`s time.”
Whittaker`s last fight in Australia was in 2019, and he previously missed two opportunities to defend his middleweight title there due to injuries.
Given this unfulfilled ambition, it appears unlikely that the former champion will step away from fighting completely just yet.
Neville Whittle 
Jack Thornley