Whittaker says he'll 'probably' retire at age 36
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker could be approaching his final few years in the Octagon.
During an interview with "Submission Radio" on Sunday, Whittaker, 33, said he plans to end his mixed martial arts career when he's 36 years old, a timeframe he said he set a while ago.
"We kind of wrote it down a few years ago. Just because I don't want to be fighting late in my years," Whittaker said. "I want to leave myself enough time to get the best years out of me and still have a bunch of time to do whatever it is that I pursue after it. That's the main reason.
"But also, I've been fighting for a long time. I think at 36, I'll probably be ready to wrap this up. But we'll see, though. Life's different. Every year is different."
Whittaker will face Khamzat Chimaev in a potential title-elimination fight next. That bout is scheduled for UFC 308 on Oct. 26 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Whittaker has been in the UFC since 2012, first as a welterweight and then a middleweight. By 2016, "The Reaper" had emerged as a top 185-pound contender, and he held the undisputed championship from 2017-19. Whittaker, currently ranked No. 3 in the division, has remained in contention in the five years since his title reign.
When asked if it feels strange to be approaching his window for retirement, Whittaker said "Not really."
"The reason why I put that age down is it feels right," Whittaker said. "I've done a lot in this sport. I'm proud of this. I've really left no stone unturned. And I still do believe that my best years are still ahead of me. I feel like there are goals that I've yet to reach, and I'm still pursuing those before I turn the page, per se. I feel good. I feel real good."
Whittaker said his main goal is recapturing the middleweight throne, currently held by Dricus Du Plessis. And the Australian will likely have a chance to do so if he gets past Chimaev.
"I want to get the belt back," Whittaker said. "I want to get two-time. That's the plan."