Rob Whiteford was the first Scotsman to be signed by the UFC, the first to register a win inside the Octagon and the first to get a knockout.

Now, the 33-year-old from Armadale is looking for his third win in the featherweight division to move closer to the top of the ladder.

Ahead of his next fight against Brazilian Lucas Martins at UFC Fight Night Zagreb on April 10, The Hammer discusses his favourite TV shows and convincing the UFC to stage another event in Scotland.

Are you still Rab, or shall we call you Rob now?

Whatever country or continent I'm in I just go with flow. When I'm in Scotland it's Rab, when I go to Europe or America it's Rob - I've been called a lot worse.

You're coming off a loss to Darren Elkins in October - have you changed much ahead of your fight with Lucas Martins?

I don't change my style or approach to any fight. I concentrate on what I'm good at and getting better. I'm going out there to win in dramatic fashion and take the guy's head off.

It's been a while since your last fight - is it frustrating to have long lay offs in between or is that essential recovery time?

It's kind of essential for recovery with the kind of fight I was in. I fractured my orbital, broken nose, my left ear was hanging off my head, so it took a little bit of time for that to heal and get back into training. I'll be raring to go on April 10 and I'll be 100% healthy.

Who have you been training with at your fight camp in Florida at American Top Team?

I've said this before but American Top Team's stable from top to bottom is full of talent. So it's not so much a name or a person; it's style, height, body type. A tall, lanky Brazilian striker. That's not a problem finding that in this gym. I've been sparring with that exact same body type, same nationality, everything. So it's going perfect.

How long how have you been out in Florida for this camp?

I've been coming back and forward here that long it seems that I've never been away from the place. This'll be eight or nine weeks out here. I spent seven months out here last year.

Have you ever considered moving out to the States full-time?

You'll never get me leaving Scotland. I love the place. I'm a Scottish boy, born and bred. It's a love/hate relationship. People when they are in Scotland moan about how crap the weather is but, believe me, when you're away from it for so long you miss it. I miss waking up to the grey mornings and that cold fresh air.

How much has life changed in the last couple of years since joining the UFC and getting that epic win in Glasgow last summer?

The sponsorships have definitely changed. I get a new car from Audi every year. Stuff like that makes it a little bit easier. But really my life's not changed that much. I still commit myself to this sport. I still train as hard, if not harder, every day. I love this life, it's just made it a little bit easier now that I'm getting paid for it.

Do you still draw on that night in Glasgow for inspiration?

July in Scotland was one of the best fights of my career if not my life. It couldn't have gone any better. It's one of those stories you tell your grandkids when you're older. But I don't tend to dwell on it too much, it was definitely a special night but it's on to the next one on April 10.

Have there been any more indications when the UFC will come back to Scotland?

I was over in Vegas last year just before Christmas and I spoke to [UFC owners] Lorenzo Fertitta and Dana White.

Unfortunately the other two Scottish fighters in the UFC are kinda quiet: Joanne [Calderwood] is on a hiatus and doesn't like to speak much and Stevie [Ray] is a quiet guy as well so I feel a little bit of responsibility on my shoulders speaking to Dana and Lorenzo to bring the UFC back to Scotland.

But it only happens with the results. So I'll take care of business April 10 and get another win under my belt and hope to get the UFC back here in the fourth quarter of this year, if not early next year.

It's hard to ignore the man sitting at the top of your division now, Conor McGregor. How encouraging is that to see someone from the British Isles doing so well?

I think it's a great thing that he's doing and I'm happy for him. I wish him all the success in the world and continue to do what he's doing.

What did you make of his fight with Nate Diaz, jumping up two weight classes, was that the wrong choice?

There are no wrong choices in this game, there are no unbeaten fighters in this game, and it's only a matter of time before you chalk up a loss. It wasn't the wrong decision, it was just unfortunate the fight went the way it did. I'm sure he'll bounce back and be back to his old self.

Nate Diaz put his win down to his vegan diet, is that something you'd ever consider?

No chance. I love my food. I love my cakes, I love my doughnuts. Like any normal Scottish person, I love the home comforts of my Scottish food.

What's your go-to at Greggs?

I used to love a steak bake. I love a croissant as well. But I'm a Krispy Kreme man. That's my thing. There's one in the Livingston shopping mall not far from my house that I attend on a regular basis and take a 12-box home with me.

If you guys could help out with letting them know I'm looking for them to sponsor me, that would be great.

What's your current walk-on music?

It's always the Flower of Scotland. I take it everywhere with me and I take great pride in walking out to that song. It's an emotional song for me and any of the Scottish fans in the crowd appreciate it as well. There may not be many of us in there but they make a lot of noise.

What advice would you give any youngster looking to get into MMA?

Dedicate yourself to the sport and make sure you enjoy it first and foremost.

What do you do to relax in your downtime?

I sit at home with my cat, Olly, watch telly with a good cup of tea and some good food.

What are you watching at the moment?

Grand Designs, I like watching that, it's a great programme.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?

X-ray vision. I'll leave that up to you to the viewers at home to think about....

If you could take three people on a dream night out, who do you take and where do you go?

Billy Connolly would be one of them. Arianne Celeste, the UFC Octagon girl. Who else have we got in there... You know what, that'll do it. Me, Billy Connolly and Arianne, and I'd take them to a chip shop for fish suppers.

Do you have a message for Lucas Martins?

Prepare to have your life changed on April 10.

Watch Rob in action at UFC Fight Night: Rothwell v Dos Santos live on BT Sport from 5pm BST on Sunday, April 10, or catch the Early Prelims on UFC Fight Pass from 3:30pm BST