Robert Whiteford speaks on the difference between the UFC & Bellator ahead of his Bellator 267 fight

Rob “The Hammer” Whiteford (16-4-0) is as honest as they come and is not afraid to speak his mind. He gave his thoughts on fighting for Bellator at a recent media day, something he has only had the opportunity to do once due to the global pandemic. He returns to the cage opposite Andrew Fisher at Bellator 267 this evening.

“I hope I’ve found a home in Bellator….I’ve only fought once for them this the second on Friday night. They seem to have treated me really well, nothing to complain about so if all goes to I’d like to finish my career at Bellator. I think I have two more fights with Bellator(…) see this one out and sign another contract with Bellator. Hopefully they bring Bellator to Scotland.”

When asked to compare working with Bellator vs. working with the UFC he had this to say.

“You ever see how when you were young you had two aunties, or two grans? You went to one that real strict and controlled everything you done and you went to the other and they let you do what the f*ck you want. That’s what it seems like with Bellator, I get to do what the f*ck I want. They treat me well, I fight, I go home. That’s it, end of story.”

Whiteford discussed the idea of comparing organizations, but at the end of the day there are dangerous fighters everywhere and not just in the UFC. The fighters skills speak for themselves, a brand name does not change their level.

“There’s tough competition in Bellator. People like to compare organizations to other organizations but every organizations have dangerous guys right through it so you be the judge of what level I’m at.”

He will fight Fisher at Bellator 267, and Whiteford says that his opponent has some interesting insight into who the Scotsman is as a fighter and how he moves.

“Strangely enough he’s cornered a few times against me, so he probably knows more about me than I do about him. You can watch someone on television or you can watch them from the crowd. You don’t really get a good picture of them until you’re either in there with them or your part of corner team, you’re against the fighter.”

The COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2019 (and you know the rest) and Whiteford had to put competing on hold

“I’ve had time out competing but I’ve not had time out training, that’s my life, that’s my lifestyle.”

He cites longtime training partner Chris Duncan (7-0-0) as one of his main source of inspiration to continue training hard during lockdown.

“The last six or seven years he’s never let me down once. When I was younger coming up I was that guy chasing the older guys, you felt like you could never let them down. I’ve not really got a choice if I want to go to training or not. I can’t let him down…I make myself accountable. (…) its not something I choose to dip my toe in and out of.”

Whiteford also had to put his regular visits to his home away from home, American Top Team (ATT), on the back burner.

“I’ve had to do it back here in Scotland. It’s the first time in six or seven years that I haven’t had a camp over there but again I know I’m confident in my abilities and when I turn up fight night all I need to do is perform to the abilities. So it wouldn’t really matter where I train. I suppose its much better if I’m training away from home in the sun (Florida) surrounded by world class facilities. (…) I’ve been here, I’ve been at my local boxing club, I’ve been at my local MMA club back in Scotland. Basically back to my roots.”

Bellator 267- Lima vs MVP is getting underway Friday Oct 1st at the Wembley Arena in London, England. Prelims start at 12:30pm (ET).