​LAS VEGAS — Robert Whittaker has given up the idea of continuing to fight at 185 pounds. The former UFC middleweight champion confirmed that his days competing in the weight class that elevated his name in MMA are behind him, and his move up to light heavyweight at UFC 329 is not a temporary experiment but a permanent shift in his career. Whittaker, who held the UFC middleweight title from 2017 to 2019, is set to make his light heavyweight debut against Nikita Krylov on the preliminary card of UFC 329 at the T-Mobile Arena.
Thus far in fight week, Whittaker has enjoyed competing a weight class above his former limit and is eager to keep traveling this path. “The middleweight Robert Whittaker, the chapter has closed,” he said during Wednesday’s UFC 329 media day. “I’m very happy as a light heavyweight. It is honestly life-changing. I recommend it to anybody.” It’s a fresh start, a new page. He intends to test the waters against Krylov, a tough opponent, and plans to approach the new division with a sense of fun and exploration.
Whittaker will be stepping into his 25th UFC bout this Saturday. Even with his veteran status and his familiarity with every aspect of fighting, not having to cut down to 185 pounds has opened up a new experience for the Australian. “Honestly, it really is life-changing for me,” Whittaker said about switching weight classes. “I’m enjoying the journey. Typically, by this point, I’m hungry, water loading, and longing to go home and miss my wife and kids. You know what? Just counting down the days until it’s over, when the focus required for fighting becomes so intense that you can’t afford to be looking past it. So wanting to go home, it’s kind of splitting my attention. So yeah, I’m in a good place right now.”
This piece originally appeared on MMA Junkie in coverage of UFC 329, with Whittaker describing the move as the end of one era and the start of another at light heavyweight. The decision marks a significant turning point for the Australian fighter as he embarks on a path that promises new challenges, different training demands, and the possibility of new championship opportunities in a division where he believes he can compete at the highest level.