Bellator Europe 6 winner Robert Whiteford opens up on struggles with divorce, alcoholism 

LONDON – It was a long road to Bellator Europe 6 for Robert Whiteford.

The Scottish featherweight had a rough journey to Saturday’s event in London. Picking up a knockout win over Sam Sicilia was the culmination of a tough stretch in Whiteford’s personal life.

In his post-fight scrum, which MMA Junkie attended, Whiteford (15-4 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) opened up about how much the win over Sicilia meant for him after struggling with divorce and alcoholism in the last couple of years.

“I’ve kept my private life private for the last two years,” Whiteford said. “I’m trying to not get emotional here. I just got married last year, and the strain that put on my marriage of not fighting – like women go shopping, and it’s therapy for them; guys fighting, that’s my therapy… ended up getting divorce in a year and ended up back to here. So it means a lot more than just fighting at the end of the night.

“Its just what I’ve kept back from. I’ve never drank in my life, and just this last year (expletive) I turned into an alcoholic. I was (expletive) drinking everyday and couldn’t get out of my house. If it wasn’t for my friends coming, dragging me out, and getting me back in here, f*ck who knows where I would be?

“I don’t want to go back and drink, (expletive) me. It cost me a fortune, as well.”

Whiteford is happy to be in a better place in his mind and is very grateful to have friends who helped him out through the rough times. “The Hammer” offered advice to anyone dealing with similar issues.

“Just keep coming back. Nothing can keep you down as long as you come back up,” Whiteford said. “I got the best friends in the world, and you really find out who your friends are when you got nothing. … I was on my bed for three weeks. I couldn’t even lift my head off the pillow. I was in a bad place, but you just have to keep coming back and fighting those demons, and who knows where it can take you?”

Whiteford had retired earlier this year before un-retiring and signing with Bellator. The 36-year-old veteran plans on keeping active and continuing his MMA career with Bellator.

You can watch his entire post-fight scrum in the video above.