Robert Whittaker will enter the Octagon earlier than he is used to on July 11.
The former UFC middleweight champion will begin a new chapter in his career at this year’s edition of International Fight Week in Las Vegas.
Whittaker has bid farewell to 185 pounds and will make his light heavyweight debut at UFC 329, which is Conor McGregor’s comeback event.
To the surprise of many, ‘The Reaper’ won’t be among those setting the stage for the Irishman’s clash with Max Holloway on the main card.
- LATEST NEWS: Heavyweight legend ‘99% sure’ Francis Ngannou would get KO’d by Robelis Despaigne in MVP MMA fight
Robert Whittaker admits his UFC 329 prelim spot ‘makes sense-ish’
Dana White announced McGregor’s rematch with Holloway last Saturday. Their second clash comes 13 years on from the Irishman’s decision victory in their first.
Coincidentally, that number also means something in relation to Whittaker’s upcoming outing at the T-Mobile Arena.
The Australian’s fight with Nikita Krylov will close out the UFC 329 prelims, marking the first time in 13 years that Whittaker has not featured on a main card in the promotion.
He addressed that fact during a recent appearance on Submission Radio.
“Well, it’s different,” Whittaker said when asked how he feels about being in the featured prelim spot. “I haven’t been in a prelim fight for a long time.
“I don’t know. On paper, intellectually, you look at it, it makes sense-ish. My first move up to 205 (pounds), coming back after a big layoff.
“Honestly, the silver lining is that I get to get my fight out of the way a little bit earlier. I hate those late nights, they kill me a little bit,” he added.
- LATEST NEWS: Robert Whittaker points out one factor that could give Conor McGregor the edge over Max Holloway
The former champion’s last prelim came way back at UFC 160 in 2013, when he defeated Colton Smith via TKO in round three.
22 fights on the main card followed, nine of which were UFC main events. He most recently headlined in Abu Dhabi against Reinier de Ridder last July.
Whittaker’s close decision loss to De Ridder ultimately proved to be his last middleweight bout, and he will now join ‘The Dutch Knight’ in moving up to 205 pounds for his next assignment.