Robert Whittaker will move into his third UFC weight class on July 11.
‘The Reaper’ debuted at welterweight before becoming UFC middleweight champion at the height of his profession.
At UFC 329, Robert Whittaker is ready to face Nikita Krylov in his first MMA fight as a lightweight heavyweight.
Can Conor McGregor 🇮🇪 overcome a five-year layoff to beat Max Holloway again?
Robert Whittaker insists he’s bulked up the correct way for UFC 329
At just 6ft, Robert Whittaker is considered one of the smallest light heavyweight fighters on the UFC roster.
A viral picture shows him looking smaller than lightweight fighter Dan Hooker during his UFC 329 camp
Still, Whittaker insists that his move as much as the 205lb division is mandatory and well thought out.
That is one of the best I feel I’ve felt during my profession, holistically. That is only a way more natural weight for me,” he said during a recent interview with UFC legend Demetrious Johnson.
“The last couple of camps, I even have just not enjoyed due to amount of sacrifice and skipping on food I’ve needed to do. Especially within the last 4 or five weeks, after I’d really must get my weight all the way down to get into the weight-cut range for middleweight. It was just an excessive amount of, and I feel it began affecting me within the fights.”
Whittaker is aware that MMA fans are questioning his move to light heavyweight ahead of UFC 329.
The 35-year-old laughed off criticism as he revealed his approach to bulking up for the Nikita Krylov fight.
“I’ve done all the correct things,” Whittaker added. “I’m not going to light heavyweight as an out-of-shape middleweight. I’m not only a middleweight who can eat more now. I’ve been doing the correct things. I’ve leaned up.
“I’m at a more natural weight range for myself. I’m still walking around 220-225lbs, pretty lean. I’m just heavy.
“Yes, Reddit absolutely kills me with every photo I post up. It’s ‘Not excited for Bobby for looking so small at light heavyweight.’ ‘Bobby is looking small.’ I’m just short, dude. I’ve got loads of my weight and thickness downstairs.”
After seeing how Paddy Pimblett performed against Justin Gaethje, do you expect him to ever turn into UFC lightweight champion? 🤔
Who else is fighting at UFC 329?
Conor McGregor’s comeback fight against Max Holloway will headline UFC 329 next weekend.
12 fights are officially scheduled to happen before they rematch within the primary event of the evening.
Nevertheless, the undercard may receive a bump if Farid Basharat is given a alternative opponent after Ethyn Ewing’s recent withdrawal from their fight.
- Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway
- Benoît Saint Denis vs. Paddy Pimblett
- Cory Sandhagen vs. Mario Bautista
- Brandon Royval vs. Lone’er Kavanagh
- King Green vs. Terrance McKinney
- Robert Whittaker vs. Nikita Krylov
- Gable Steveson vs. Elisha Ellison
- Cody Garbrandt vs. Adrian Yañez
- Luke Riley vs. Kai Kamaka III
- Tracy Cortez vs. Wang Cong
- Damian Pinas vs. César Almeida
- Ryan Gandra vs. Zachary Reese
- Alessandro Costa vs. Cody Durden
- Farid Basharat vs. TBD
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