For years, Robert Whittaker was a fixture in the UFC’s middleweight division, reaching the sport’s summit by capturing the 185-pound title in 2017. But after years of punishing fights and diminishing momentum, it became increasingly clear that the weight cut was taking its toll. That realization, coupled with a split-decision loss to Reinier de Ridder at UFC Abu Dhabi in July 2025, ultimately convinced Whittaker to make another move in weight class.
Having started his UFC career at welterweight before establishing himself as one of the greatest middleweights of his era, ‘The Reaper’ is now set to make his light heavyweight debut against Nikita Krylov at UFC 329 on July 11. The move follows consecutive losses inside the Octagon, including a first-round submission defeat to current middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev.
Before those setbacks, however, Whittaker had put together impressive victories over Ikram Aliskerov and Paulo Costa. Speaking with Demetrious Johnson on his YouTube channel, Whittaker admitted that the demanding weight cuts to 185 pounds had become increasingly difficult, adding that he now feels like a natural light heavyweight.
Robert Whittaker moves up to light heavyweight to fight Nikita Krylov at #UFC329!
Who wins and how?? pic.twitter.com/ssW2Xf7W6k
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) May 17, 2026
More importantly, the former middleweight champion believes this has been the healthiest and most enjoyable training camp of his career. He revealed, “This is the best I think I’ve felt for my career holistically. This is a much more natural weight for me. The last couple of camps I just have not enjoyed because of the amount of sacrifice and skipping of food that I’ve had to do.”
He continued, “Especially the last four-five weeks when I’d really have to try and get my weight down to get into weight cut range for middleweight. It was just too much, and I think it started affecting me in the fight themselves. Like I said, this is a bit of the end period of my career, I want to enjoy the process a little bit more, I want to enjoy the training. I want to feel good.”
Whittaker also explained that moving up to 205 pounds has not significantly changed his walk-around weight. Instead, it has allowed him to compete closer to his natural size without the physical strain of cutting down to middleweight. He said, “I’ve done all the right things. I’m not going to light heavyweight as an out-of-shape middleweight.”
The former champion emphasized that the transition has been about optimizing his body rather than simply carrying extra weight. He concluded with, “I’m not just a middleweight who can eat more now. I’ve been doing the right things, I’ve leaned up, I’m in a much more natural weight range for myself. I’m still walking around 220-225 pretty lean because I’m just heavy.”
⚖️Robert Whittaker says he’s 220-225lbs lean right now
“I’m not just a middleweight who can eat more now, I’ve been doing the right things, I’ve leaned out”
via @MightyMouse pic.twitter.com/3VDIBmBkUM
— Dovy🔌 (@DovySimuMMA) July 2, 2026
Whittaker has gone 2-3 in his last five fights and has been chasing another shot at the middleweight title ever since losing the belt to Israel Adesanya at UFC 243 in 2019. But at this stage of his career, the former champion appears to have accepted that another run at UFC gold may no longer be realistic. Instead, he’s focused on enjoying the rest of his career while competing at a healthier, more natural weight. It will be interesting to see how his light heavyweight debut unfolds as he changes weight classes for the second time since joining the UFC in 2012.
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