Robert Whittaker opens up on concerns about being undersized at light heavyweight before UFC 329 Nikita Krylov fight
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has touched upon the concerns about his supposedly being undersized ahead of his light heavyweight debut.
Robert Whittaker has long been heralded as one of the most well-rounded fighters in the UFC.
Nevertheless, the former UFC middleweight (185-pound) champion is coming off a pair of consecutive losses inside the octagon. As such, he chose to bid adieu to the weight class he once ruled and asserted that he'll be moving up to the light heavyweight (205-pound) division.
Certain sections of the MMA community have weighed in on the significant change in Whittaker's career path. They've speculated that it might backfire because he's a tad undersized for the light heavyweight division.
Several fans have also harked back to how "The Reaper" initially fought in the welterweight (170-pound) division before he moved to middleweight and reigned as the UFC's 185-pound champion.
Whittaker himself has now responded to the fight fans' concerns about how well he'd fare at light heavyweight.
Robert Whittaker seems confident about smooth transition to light heavyweight against Nikita Krylov at UFC 329
Speaking to former UFC flyweight champion and ex-One Championship flyweight champion Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson on the latter's podcast, The MightyCast, Robert Whittaker addressed his much-awaited light heavyweight debut.
The New Zealand-born Australian combatant is scheduled to make his debut in the light heavyweight division against a staple of that weight class, the Ukraine-born Russian combatant Nikita Krylov. They'll clash on the star-studded UFC 329 card on July 11.
Speaking to Johnson, Whittaker suggested that he had a tough camp for both his latest fights, which include a submission loss against Khamzat Chimaev in 2024 and a split decision defeat against Reinier de Ridder last July.
The 35-year-old underscored that he didn't enjoy the weight cut to middleweight and that it reflected in his performances. Both Whittaker and Johnson signaled that putting one's body through extreme weight cuts as one gets older isn't feasible.
Whittaker stated, "I've done all the right things. I'm not going to light heavyweight as an out-of-shape middleweight. I'm not just a middleweight that can eat more now. I've been doing the right things. I've leaned up."
He continued, "I'm at a much more natural weight range for myself. Like, I'm still walking around, what, 220, 225 (pounds)... pretty lean. 'Cause I'm just heavy."
Robert Whittaker jests about some fans deeming him undersized for the UFC light heavyweight division
Robert Whittaker, interestingly, appeared to bring up a few fan debates and discussions on social media about his supposedly being undersized for light heavyweight.
Whittaker lightheartedly implied that he's simply shorter than most other light heavyweights. He believes, however, that he's lean despite having added weight to his frame and would keep his speed that'll help him be faster than his foes at the higher weight class.
"Bobby Knuckles" said, "Yes, Reddit absolutely kills me with every photo... Every photo I post up or somebody else post up, it's like, 'Not excited for 'Bobby' looking so small at light heavyweight. 'Bobby' is looking small.'"
The six-feet tall fighter added, "I'm just short, dude. I'm short." Also, Whittaker indicated that most of his weight is in his lower body, whilst seemingly reassuring that he's not undersized for the light heavyweight division.
Watch Robert Whittaker discuss the concerns surrounding his light heavyweight move below (*comments at the 4:25-minute mark of the video):
