LAS VEGAS — Robert Whittaker may have found new life in a new division. The former UFC middleweight champion made an emphatic light heavyweight debut Saturday night, stopping longtime contender Nikita Krylov in the third round at UFC 329 inside T-Mobile Arena.
Whittaker (27-9 MMA, 18-7 UFC) scored the biggest win of his recent career when a crushing right hand forced Krylov to retreat before the fight was waved off just 1:01 into Round 3.
After consecutive losses to Khamzat Chimaev and Reinier de Ridder at middleweight, Whittaker made the decision to move up to 205 pounds in hopes of extending his career.
The move appeared to pay immediate dividends. Although Whittaker was noticeably smaller than the physically imposing Krylov, he looked stronger, healthier, and far more energetic than he had during his recent weight cuts to 185 pounds. His speed ultimately proved to be the deciding factor.
Speed Neutralizes Size
Krylov (31-12 MMA, 12-10 UFC) attempted to use his size advantage early by mixing in wrestling and clinch work, hoping to wear Whittaker down.
Instead, Whittaker gradually found his rhythm on the feet. As the fight progressed, the former middleweight champion’s quick combinations repeatedly beat Krylov to the target, forcing the veteran light heavyweight into uncomfortable exchanges. Everything changed early in the third round.
Whittaker connected with a thunderous right hand that immediately stunned Krylov. Although the Ukrainian remained standing, he repeatedly grabbed and flexed his jaw while backing away from the action, clearly in distress.
The referee quickly stepped in as Krylov signaled he could no longer continue. Broadcast commentators speculated the punch may have fractured Krylov’s jaw, though no official diagnosis was announced following the bout.
Staying at Light Heavyweight
Following the biggest victory of his comeback, Whittaker made one thing perfectly clear. The move to light heavyweight is permanent. The 35-year-old believes the additional weight has allowed him to compete at his best without enduring the difficult weight cuts that became increasingly taxing during the latter stages of his middleweight career.
Saturday’s performance suggested the former champion could quickly become a factor in the UFC’s 205-pound division.
The loss marks another setback for Krylov, who has now dropped three of his last four fights. Long regarded as one of the division’s most dangerous veterans, Krylov was unable to slow Whittaker’s speed or capitalize on his size advantage before the fight came to an abrupt conclusion.
For years, Robert Whittaker was one of the UFC’s elite middleweights. Now, after an explosive debut at 205 pounds, “The Reaper” appears ready to write a new chapter. If Saturday’s performance is any indication, Whittaker’s championship aspirations may have been revived the moment he stopped cutting down to middleweight.
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Robert LaMar is a Deputy Editor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
