I record my weight and RPMs (the loads)
of the sessions for every camp, every fight.
Because I’ve done it for such a long time,
I can get a good gauge of where my weight
is by just how I feel in the morning, how
my weight reflects on the scales, how I’m
performing in the sessions. Those things
combined give me a pretty accurate guess
of what I should be eating and what I should
be doing. Plus I keep a log, so I can look back
and see what my weight was X amount of
weeks out from last fight so I can compare.
MF: Is there any fuel you use to help with training
or recovery, particularly when you fight?
RW: Having the right supplements at the
right time alongside healthy eating is really
important. Sometimes people get misguided
into thinking they need a heavy meal before
training to feel good, and it can make a tiny
difference, but it’s more important to eat
clean the day before and get enough sleep
the day before – that will have more impact
on how you feel than what you consume on
the day of. I have to make sure when I know
I have a hard session coming up that I’m eating
the right food and get my eight hours’ sleep,
because that will affect how I feel tomorrow.
MF: What is your go-to cheat meal?
RW: I don’t have a specific cheat meal. If I’m
feeling in the mood for chocolate, it will be
that, or it might be lollies and chips.
MF: When you win UFC 243, how will you
celebrate, diet-wise?
RW: I’m keen to try this hectic dumpling
place in Melbourne. To be honest, whether
I win or lose, I’ll be there smashing dumplings.
MF: How do you mentally prepare for a fight?
RW: My performance coach manipulates my
OCTOBER 2019 MEN’S FITNESS 57
“WEKEEPASTEADY
TRAININGREGIMEN
THROUGHTHEWHOLE
YEARANDWEKEEPIT
RUNNINGEVERYDAY,
EVERYMONTHOF
THEYEAR.”
MF: Do you follow a specific diet?
RW: No, I don’t follow a specific diet. My wife
cooks for me, which is great. I try to eat well
and I follow the “everything in moderation”
rule. I eat greens every day, I avoid fast foods
and sugar. As the fights get closer and I need
to lose a couple of kilos, I start to clean up
my diet and so I avoid things like breads and
eat foods closer to the source like potatoes
and rice. I also try to clean up the meat,
so I’ll shift to white meat, fish and up my
grain intake. I follow the 80/20 rule, and
I’m not going to say I won’t eat a chocolate
bar now and then.
MF: Do you track your calories?
RW: I don’t. My wife starts to track my
calories when the fight gets closer and that
helps her prepare what I’m eating, but for me
personally, nope, I’m not a calorie counter.
Thenumbersgame
RobWhittaker
Born: December 20, 1990
Lives: Sydney
Height: 183cm
Weight: 84kg
Reach: 187cm