Former UFC World Champion Robert Whittaker has swapped the octagon for a Sherrin, joining the Sydney Swans for a training session on Thursday in a win for all involved. 

The middleweight MMA fighter, known as ‘The Reaper’, touched down at the club’s Moore Park headquarters on Thursday morning for skills and off-legs training, before joining the players and coaches for lunch and running a question-and-answer session.

Whittaker said while MMA and Australian rules football are vastly different sports, both parties had plenty of advice to share.

“At the end of the day we’re all athletes,” Whittaker said.

“We’re all trying to contend at the highest levels of our sports, and I think there are plenty of things that certainly cross over.

“It was absolutely awesome to visit the Swans. I’m certainly aware that today wasn’t a super-hard day, and I only took on the morning part of the workout, but it was just so fun. The team was great, the culture is amazing and all the boys were honestly so fun to be around." 

Whittaker began competing in MMA in 2008 and made his UFC debut in 2012, taking part in the ‘The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes Finale’ and winning the welterweight division.

The New Zealand-born Australian switched to the middleweight division in 2014.

He then beat Yoel Romero in 2017 to become the first Australian or New Zealander to claim a UFC title.

Whittaker was awarded the esteemed GQ Sportsman of the Year award in 2018.

Robert Whittaker gives the footy a roost, the Sydney Swans watching on.

Steely-eyed focus.

Fun and games: Robert Whittaker having a laugh with James Bell and Jarrad McVeigh.