Introduction
Robert Whiteford (born 12 April 1983) is a Scottish mixed martial artist who is currently signed to bellator mma having spent a period of time in limbo due to contractual issues with ACB. Whiteford competed in Featherweight division of Absolute Championship Berkut. A professional competitor since 2009, he formerly competed for the UFC, and was the first Scottish fighter to be signed by the promotion.
Career
Whiteford has a strong background in judo and Muay Thai, he first began fighting for team "Hostile Territory" based out of "The Dojo" gym in Alloa. He then joined the Dinky Ninja Fight Team (DNFT) The Griphouse Gym, in Glasgow where he has remained a member of the team since.He now lives and trains in South Florida at American Top Team.He has also spent time training with "Sweden All Stars" in Stockholm.
Whiteford made his professional debut in 2009 competing primarily for regional promotions across the United Kingdom where he was able to compile a record of 10 - 1 before signing with the UFC in the fall of 2013.
Whiteford was also a bronze medalist at the 2006 Commonwealth Judo Championships in 2006 in the category of senior male under 73kg.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Whiteford made his promotional debut on 26 October 2013, as a short notice replacement for an injured Mike Wilkinson and faced Jimy Hettes at UFC Fight Night 30.Hettes defeated Whiteford via submission (triangle choke) in the second round.
Whiteford faced Daniel Pineda on 15 March 2014 at UFC 171.Whiteford defeated Pineda via unanimous decision.
Whiteford was expected to face Dennis Siver on 4 October 2014 at UFC Fight Night 53.However, Whiteford was forced out of the bout in mid-September with an injury and replaced by Charles Rosa.
Whiteford faced Paul Redmond on 18 July 2015 at UFC Fight Night 72. He won the fight via knockout in the first round.
Whiteford faced Darren Elkins on 24 October 2015 at UFC Fight Night 76. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
Whiteford faced Lucas Martins on 10 April 2016 at UFC Fight Night 86. Whiteford lost the fight via split decision and was subsequently released from the promotion.
Post-UFC career
After three straight wins in Absolute Championship Berkut, Whiteford signed with Bellator. He made his promotional debut against Sam Sicilia at Bellator London 2 on November 23, 2019. Despite being knocked down multiple times during the bout, Whiteford came back and knocked Sicilia out with only six seconds left in the final round.
Whiteford is next expected to face Saul Rogers at Bellator London on May 16, 2020.
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 20 matches | 16 wins | 4 losses |
| By knockout | 7 | 1 |
| By submission | 3 | 1 |
| By decision | 6 | 2 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 16–4 | Sam Sicilia | KO (punches) | Bellator London 2 | November 23, 2019 | 3 | 4:54 | London, England | |
| Win | 15–4 | Kane Mousah | Decision (split) | ACB 87: Whiteford vs Mousah | May 19, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Nottingham, England | |
| Win | 14–4 | Nam Phan | Technical Submission (front choke) | ACB 54: Supersonic | March 11, 2017 | 1 | 0:29 | Manchester, England | |
| Win | 13–4 | Kevin Petshi | Decision (unanimous) | ACB 47: Braveheart: Young Eagles 14 | 1 October 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Glasgow, Scotland | |
| Loss | 12–4 | Lucas Martins | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Rothwell vs. dos Santos | 10 April 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Zagreb, Croatia | |
| Loss | 12–3 | Darren Elkins | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Holohan vs. Smolka | 24 October 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Dublin, Ireland | |
| Win | 12–2 | Paul Redmond | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Leites | 18 July 2015 | 1 | 3:04 | Glasgow, Scotland | |
| Win | 11–2 | Daniel Pineda | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 171 | 15 March 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Dallas, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 10–2 | Jimy Hettes | Technical Submission (triangle choke) | UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Munoz | 26 October 2013 | 2 | 2:17 | Manchester, England | |
| Win | 10–1 | Paul Reed | Decision (unanimous) | SFC: Reawakening | 30 June 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Stirling, Scotland | |
| Win | 9–1 | Martin Svensson | TKO (punches) | Vision FC 4 | 12 September 2012 | 1 | 0:43 | Glasgow, Scotland | Won the Vision Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 8–1 | Carl Fawcett | Decision (majority) | Supremacy Fight Challenge 6 | 20 May 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Gateshead, England | |
| Win | 7–1 | Antanas Jazbutis | Decision (unanimous) | Vision FC 3 | 28 April 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Glasgow, Scotland | |
| Win | 6–1 | Jonny Goodall | TKO (punches) | Headhunters MMA 2 | 2 October 2011 | 1 | 0:15 | Edinburgh, Scotland | |
| Win | 5–1 | Liam James | Decision (unanimous) | Supremacy Fight Challenge 2 | 29 May 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Gateshead, England | |
| Win | 4–1 | David Galbraith | KO (punches) | On Top 1 | 2 February 2011 | 2 | 1:22 | Glasgow, Scotland | |
| Win | 3–1 | Chris Batty | Submission (punches) | AC 3: Revolution | 1 May 2010 | 1 | N/A | Edinburgh, Scotland | |
| Win | 2–1 | Rich Edgeworth | TKO (punches) | Hostile Territory 5 | 10 April 2010 | 1 | N/A | Alloa, Scotland | |
| Win | 1–1 | Alan Duffy | TKO (punches) | AC 2: The Gathering | 28 November 2009 | 1 | 2:39 | Edinburgh, Scotland | |
| Loss | 0–1 | Bobby McVitie | TKO (doctor stoppage) | AC 1: Proving Ground | 23 May 2009 | 1 | 5:00 | Edinburgh, Scotland |