Rob Wilkinson Feeling 'Refreshed' for PFL Return: 'Like It’s My First Season Again'

After enjoying a breakout campaign in 2022, Rob Wilkinson was removed from the following Professional Fighters League season due to a failed drug test after the organization’s first event of last year.

As he prepares to make his return, the 32-year-old Australian has chosen to focus on the positive support he’s received rather than any negativity.

“I've got a lot of support and people around me that love and support me, and I've had a lot of people back home, people I know and people I don't know, reach out and still tell me they're behind me and that's what kind of motivates me,” Wilkinson said during a recent PFL media day. “I don't really give a s—t about people on Instagram and trolls and whatnot, but the people around me love me and support me, and I want to go out there and have a good fight for them.”

Wilkinson went 4-0 in PFL competition in 2022 to become the league’s light heavyweight champion. He began the following campaign with a decision win over Thiago Santos, but shortly thereafter, it was revealed that he tested positive for an elevated testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio resulting from the androgynous origin of testosterone in relation to the fight. As a result, he was suspended nine months, and his victory over Santos was overturned to a no contest.

Wilkinson was able to find a silver lining in missing the rest of the 2023 PFL season.

“I actually took a bit of time off from training altogether,” he said. “I had quite a lot of injuries going into 2023, so just kind of let my body and mind recover and then I feel refreshed and excited like it's like my first season again. I’m excited for this year.

“… I didn't think I fought very well in that [Thiago] fight, as well as just, I wasn't doing all the little things I normally do and I kind of just kind of I don't know, let things go,” he added. “So, you know, fighting five times in 11 months is a lot, so having a bit of a break has been good for me physically and has definitely mentally, as well.”

Wilkinson was originally scheduled to face Phil Davis at PFL 2 on Friday at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas. However, Davis withdrew from the bout last week and was replaced by Tom Breese on short notice.

“I was pretty disappointed,” Wilkinson said. “I was excited to fight Phil Davis. Obviously he's the big name, former Bellator champion, been around the sport forever. I remember watching him, when I was kind of getting into it and everything. So it's cool to start to actually fight those people. …So I was pretty bummed out, but that stuff happens in the sport.”

With something of a fresh start, Wilkinson wants to pick up where he left off in 2022.

“I've been saying it for a while: I just want to be considered the best light heavyweight in the world,” he said. “So that's my goal. I want the big fights, I want the hard fights. I obviously want another belt and then just keep winning fights until people start considering me one of the best.”