Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker is set to step on the scale at 205 pounds for his next Octagon appearance, officially moving up to the light heavyweight division. After suffering back-to-back defeats a split decision loss to Reinier de Ridder in July 2025 and a first-round submission to current 185-pound champion Khamzat Chimaev Whittaker has decided it’s time for a change.
“I’m going to give it a go,” Whittaker said on Submission Radio. “I’m on the tail end of my career so I’ve got to try rather than just thinking about what ifs.”
Robert Whittaker CONFIRMS he’s moving to light heavyweight aiming for a fight in June
— Henrysportsfights u26bdufe0fud83eudd4aud83eudd4b (@henryofchelsea1) February 24, 2026
Why the Move Makes Sense
Whittaker began his UFC career at welterweight (170 lbs), later becoming one of the division’s most respected middleweights.