The Ultimate Fighter: Australia's Rising Star's Bold Move
Robert Whittaker, Australia's first UFC champion, is making a bold move. He's leaving the middleweight division, where he made his name, to reinvent himself as a light heavyweight. But this isn't just a novelty act; it's a full-on mission for longevity, improved performance, and a shot at UFC gold.
Whittaker, known as 'The Reaper', is no stranger to taking risks. After years battling the toughest 185-pounders in MMA, he's ready for a new challenge. He's not just adding kilos; he's focusing on discipline and progression.
'I don't want to go into my next fight as a fat middleweight!' he jokes. 'I still need to be lean, still need to eat the right food. I just get to have a little bit more of it, which will help with my recovery and my lifestyle.'
Some fans see Whittaker as a smaller middleweight, relying on speed. But he clarifies, 'It takes me a long while to get down to middleweight. I walk around at about 105kg, day to day, which is still a decent amount above the light-heavyweight limit [of 93kg].'
To stay lean, he'll need new training partners. He plans to train at City Kickboxing in Auckland, where he can move around with different bodies and bigger guys.
Whittaker's potential opponents include Dominick Reyes, Jan Blachowicz, and Magomed Ankalaev. But the wild card is Jiri Procházka, a Czech enigma who's 'too crazy' for Whittaker's liking.
Initially, Whittaker hoped to fight on the UFC's White House card, but his chances are slim. The card is packed with big names like Jon Jones and Conor McGregor. Still, he believes it's a historic event and needs both those guys for the biggest spectacle.
Meanwhile, fellow Aussie star Jack Della Maddalena is set to face Carlos Prates in May. Whittaker's confident this clash will be special, as JDM returns from losing the welterweight belt.
'It's a beautiful fight to make,' he says. 'I'm so pumped for that one. It's going to be a clinical striking match for the ages.'
Can Whittaker do it again? Only time will tell if he can match his previous success and dominate the light heavyweight division.
