Robert Whittaker is back in the gym, seeking an August title defence and thankful to be alive, via Nick Walshaw

In an era of brasher and more outlandish UFC stars than any point in history, Robert Whittaker remains true to his roots.

He might be one of the UFC’s most terrifying fighters — and a champion to boot — but he’ll never forget where he came from.

In the year 2000, the now 28-year-old’s parents separated and Whittaker, along with his brother Steven, moved in with his dad in a housing commission unit.

Effectively raised by a single father, Whittaker learned a lot from his dad and secretly honours him every time he enters the Octagon.

“When I was a kid I didn’t understand how tough that would have been — I was a little s*** to be honest,” he said.

“But looking back retrospectively I can see that my father sacrificed a lot, he did a lot of things I’m sure he didn’t want to do, and he always put us first.

“When I walk into the Octagon I always tap my chest. People often see that as me tapping my Southern Cross tattoo and I don’t mind it being interpreted like that because I am very proud of my country.

“But there’s another reason why I do that. My father got me that tattoo when I was 18. And I always tap my chest to show that whether he’s in the crowd or in the stands or at home, it’s a way for him to know that I’m thinking of him. It’s my way to show him that I know he’s watching.”

Now a devoted husband and father of his own to three children — Jack, 3, John 2, and Lilliana, 1 — Whittaker has revealed how protective he is of his family in an interview with The Father Hood, a new website for dads.

Asked how he would feel if one of his sons wanted to fight in the UFC, Whittaker was honest.

“Mate, it would crush me. I’m very emotional with my family,” he said.

“When one of my boys hurts themselves, I go into meltdown mode — I want to try and destroy whatever they scraped their knee on.

“But the thing is I also know that they’re going to do whatever they want to do. The best thing that I can do for them as a father is to make sure they have the right skill sets to do whatever they want to do.”

The Aussie star said his children have helped to keep him grounded, even when he’s achieved so much at a relatively young age.

“The biggest thing that having kids has taught me as a fighter is that you’re really nothing special,” he said.

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“When I came home with the world-champ belt my son just looked at me and dragged me to his LEGO set. He didn’t care about the belt, he didn’t care about the fight, he just wanted me to play LEGO.

“That’s humbling in a sense that it makes you realise there are lots of people out that don’t like watching fights, and they don’t care either - you’re a nobody to them. It makes you wake up a bit.”

You can read the unique perspectives of famous fathers — including football stars Tim Cahill and David Beckham — at The Father Hood.