Robert Whittaker Takes Aim at Joe Rogan and Co. After UFC 329 Finish: ‘I Still Had My Speed’

Robert Whittaker heard the questions about his body at UFC 329. “The Reaper” heard the doubts about whether a former middleweight could really belong at light heavyweight, too. While he wasn't exactly thrilled by the commentary, the Australian silenced all the naysayers with a statement win at UFC 329. 

Whittaker made his 205-lb debut against Nikita Krylov and stopped the veteran in the third round, putting together a striking masterclass. Now, almost a month removed from his performance, he appears to be divulging what he heard during fight night, what he got wrong during his first light heavyweight cut, and why he believes the move can work.

Robert Whittaker Wasn’t Exactly Thrilled With UFC 329 Commentary

Whittaker's physique became an unexpected talking point at UFC 329. To some, “Bobby Knuckles” looked noticeably different at 205 lbs, and commentators Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier discussed whether he looked big enough for the division. 

Rogan in particular questioned Whittaker's appearance, describing him as “soft” and “puffy” during the broadcast. Whittaker was aware of it. He addressed his thoughts on the comments on “The Ariel Helwani Show,” and now the 35-year-old has added a little more to it. 

Speaking to “Title Fight” during a recent exclusive, Whittaker admitted that hearing the commentary was “a little upsetting,” although he didn't seem interested in turning it into a major feud.

“A little upsetting… I picked up on the commentary, but I assumed it was an accident, like when they said they had the blueprint to beat me,” Whittaker said when asked about the commentator’s remarks. 

The “blueprint” comment was another thing that caught his attention. “I don’t understand where that blueprint was… I don’t know,” he added. If Krylov had a blueprint, Whittaker certainly didn't see much of it once the fight settled in.

Robert Whittaker Acknowledges Adjustments Can be Made to Gameplan

In hindsight, the Australian looked sharp as the bout progressed, using his speed and combinations to repeatedly get through to Krylov. Despite the size disadvantage (height and reach) in the matchup, Whittaker was able to hurt the Russian veteran before eventually forcing the stoppage in the third round.

That result also gave him something more useful than an argument with the commentary team. It gave him his first real look at what his body could do at 205 pounds.

That said, Whittaker admitted there are still things he can change after going through his first light heavyweight weight cut - “I realized, while I was cut a fair amount the day before, I don’t need to refuel as much because I was eating the whole weeks full, the whole week into the weight cut,” he explained.

And despite the concerns about his physique, Whittaker said he felt anything but undersized when it mattered.

“But I felt strong, I was still fast and I walked in there like 103 kgs… And I still had my speed behind me,” he said. “You can see every time I put my hands on Krylov, it wasn’t like pitter-patter; he was getting hurt every time.”

Whittaker Feels at Home at Light Heavyweight

There was always going to be some uncertainty around Whittaker's move to light heavyweight. He had spent the majority of his UFC career competing at middleweight, after starting his career as a welterweight, and moving up meant facing bigger men while carrying some of the questions that naturally come with a change that late in a career.

Whittaker had admitted before the fight that some of those doubts had started getting into his head. He had even spent part of camp reading Reddit comments questioning whether he was big enough for 205 lbs.

But after three rounds with Krylov, those doubts appear to have faded. “I’m really happy and comfortable with my debut in the division,” Whittaker said.

That comfort could be important as he figures out what comes next. Whittaker has already suggested that he sees himself as being close to the title picture with another strong performance.  In addition, the move also gives him a fresh start after consecutive losses at middleweight and removes the punishing weight cut that had been part of his career for years.

Don't Expect to See Whittaker Fighting City Kickboxing Colleagues

There is, however, one part of the 205-pound division Whittaker has no intention of exploring. For the unversed, the Australian shares the City Kickboxing gym with several fighters in the division, including Carlos Ulberg and Navajo Stirling. 

Even if either man eventually ends up across the cage from him in a championship fight, Whittaker has made his position clear. He won't fight them.

“I don’t fight people I eat with,” Whittaker told FOX. “They’re my team guys… I don’t fight team guys. It’s against my ethics.” That makes his path at light heavyweight a little more complicated, but Whittaker doesn't appear bothered by it.

For now, he has already answered the biggest question surrounding his move. He stepped into the Octagon at 205, faced a dangerous veteran, and finished him.