Robert Whittaker extends MMA career thanks to light heavyweight move: “It is honestly life-changing”

Robert Whittaker already feels his career has been extended before making his 205-pound debut.

Whittaker is scheduled to enter a light heavyweight bout for the first time on Saturday. The former UFC Middleweight Champion will meet Nikita Krylov in the featured preliminary bout of the UFC 329 card in Las Vegas. This will be Whittaker’s first bout since his quick submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev back in 2024.

Now that he is done with the 185-pound weight class, Whittaker feels there is new life in his run as a prizefighter. “The Reaper” discussed how crucial making the jump to light heavyweight was during UFC 329 media day (via MMAFighting).

“The middleweight Rob Whittaker chapter has closed,” Whittaker said. “I’m very happy as a light heavyweight. It is honestly life-changing. I recommend it to anybody. … I still do have to cut weight, it’s just not as brutal. It’s not as bad.

“I was able to fuel myself much more during the camp. Recovery was much higher. My moods were better. Everything was just better for it.”

Whittaker wanted to make it clear that despite feeling his fighting career has been extended, he won’t go beyond a certain point.

“Let’s be honest, I don’t want to be fighting for another five years by any means, I’ve got other things I want to do,” Whittaker said. “I want to play Masters soccer, things like that. But I definitely have a few more in me now because the way I was feeling after the last couple of fights, the camps, how drained I was for them, how much of a grind it was, dragging my feet to get to everything. Comparatively, I definitely have a new love and lease on the game.”

BJPenn.com’s own Cole Shelton recently spoke to Whittaker, who praised Krylov as a worthy opponent for his light heavyweight debut. Whittaker said he’s aware of how dangerous Krylov can be, but he feels he can capitalize on openings to secure the win on Saturday.

How do you see Robert Whittaker’s light heavyweight debut playing out on Saturday? Sound off in the comments below.