‘Shut them up’: Aussie’s redemption after drugs ban

Australia’s Rob Wilkinson hopes to silence the “naysayers” with a second Professional Fighters League title and the cool $1.5 million winner’s cheque that comes with it.
The Tasmanian pugilist made history in 2022 as the first Aussie to win a PFL championship and bought a Porsche Macan and a house for he and girlfriend Paris to celebrate.
But the fairytale ended last year when Wilkinson was among a slew of MMA fighters to test positive for a banned substance following sweeping drug tests by the Nevada Athletic Commission.
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Rob Wilkinson grapples with Josh Silveira during PFL 2024. Getty
Wilkinson, 32, admitted to the doping violation and was banned for the entire 2023 season, costing him a shot at another life changing $1.5m pay packet.
He spoke to Wide World of Sports about that “big mistake” and has got back to what he does best this year – his fists doing the talking in wins over Tom Breese and Josh Silveira.
Next in the firing line is Turkmenistan’s Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov in the light heavyweight semi-finals at PFL 8 in Hollywood, Florida on Saturday (AEST).
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“I put that mistake I made behind me, and I’m just moving forward. Now two fights into this year – I’ve got two more to go,” ‘Razor’ Wilkinson told Cageside Press.
“Obviously that world title is the goal. As you said, winning that, whatever naysayers – there’s always going to be naysayers, people talking shit and whatever, that doesn’t bother me.
“But winning that can maybe shut them up, but most likely they’ll still find a way to be talking shit. But who cares? I’m doing what I love, I’m doing what makes me happy. I just want to go out there and win another world championship.”
Yagshimuradov, 35 and dubbed ‘Wolfhound’, is also 2-0 this season after wins over Jakob Nedoh and Simon Biyong.
“He’s a great opponent,” Wilkinson told MMA Junkie.
“I was actually scheduled to face him in round one and they kind of mixed it up on me… so yeah, I was looking at him earlier this year. He’s obviously done well, he’s got two wins. Good explosive striker, he’s got good wrestling, well rounded, I think it’s going to be an exciting fight.”