All articles tagged with #robert whittaker
Michael Page earned his fifth UFC win by decision over Nursulton Ruziboev, running his UFC record to 5-1 since joining in 2025, but his contract status appears uncertain as free agency looms; veteran Robert Whittaker praised Page’s speed and fluidity while joking that Page seems to have a live feed of judges’ scorecards, making live viewing of his decision wins hard to watch.
Whittaker admits he couldn’t bring himself to watch Michael Page’s uneventful decision at UFC Paris, praising MVP’s speed and longevity while noting his calculated, point-based style can be hard to watch. Page, now 5-1 in the UFC and fighting out his contract, faces an uncertain future as fans and promoters weigh next moves, including Page’s continued presence if he signs a new deal.
Whittaker moved up to light heavyweight for UFC 329 and stopped Nikita Krylov with a third‑round KO at 1:01, showcasing speed and power to overcome Krylov’s size. Krylov grabbed his jaw as the referee halted the bout, and Whittaker declared 205 pounds his new home, signaling a definitive 205‑pound future.
Robert Whittaker says Sean Strickland won’t beat Khamzat Chimaev by grappling; to have a shot at UFC 328 he should focus on deterring takedowns and making Chimaev reluctant to shoot, since Chimaev’s wrestling is central and preparation alone isn’t enough.
Robert Whittaker predicts Khamzat Chimaev will overwhelm Sean Strickland at UFC 328, citing Chimaev’s relentless wrestling, cardio, and control. He advises Strickland to focus on striking and staying out of grappling range, noting that prep may not be enough to stop Chimaev’s onslaught; Whittaker, who fought Chimaev, emphasizes how difficult it is to prepare for him and that the fight could hinge on Chimaev’s ability to implement his wrestling-heavy game.
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker plans to move up to 205 pounds for his next UFC fight, saying cutting to 185 has hampered his performance and he wants to test himself at light heavyweight. Following a July 2025 split‑decision loss to Reinier de Ridder and a prior first‑round submission defeat to Khamzat Chimaev, Whittaker aims for a June return with roughly four months of prep to build muscle and adapt to the higher weight.
Robert Whittaker predicts Reinier de Ridder has the best chance to beat Khamzat Chimaev after UFC 319, citing de Ridder's ground game and unconventional style as potential challenges for Chimaev, who recently became the UFC middleweight champion.
Reinier de Ridder won a split decision over Robert Whittaker in UFC Abu Dhabi, feeling he deserved the win despite some judges scoring differently. He acknowledged Whittaker's toughness and expressed confidence in his future title shot prospects, aiming to improve and prove he's among the best in the middleweight division.
Robert Whittaker lost a split decision to Reinier de Ridder at UFC on ABC 9, feeling he deserved to win despite the judges' decision, marking his first consecutive losses in over 11 years and raising questions about his future in the sport.
Reinier de Ridder continued his impressive UFC run by defeating former champion Robert Whittaker via split decision at UFC on ABC 9, positioning himself for a potential title shot, with notable reactions from the MMA community.
The article provides live updates and results from UFC Abu Dhabi, highlighting the main event where Robert Whittaker faces Reinier de Ridder, along with other fight outcomes and event details.
Following his loss to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308, Robert Whittaker underwent dental surgery to address long-standing issues with his teeth, which were exacerbated by the fight. During the procedure, doctors discovered a large cyst in his jaw, potentially the source of recurring infections. Despite these complications, Whittaker is back in training and eyeing a return to the Octagon, possibly in June.
UFC on ABC 6 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, features former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker against short-notice replacement Ikram Aliskerov. Whittaker is favored with 10 out of 11 staff picks. Other notable fights include Johnny Walker vs. Volkan Oezdemir, Shara Magomedov vs. Antonio Trocoli, Kelvin Gastelum vs. Daniel Rodriguez, and Sergei Pavlovich vs. Alexander Volkov.
This weekend, MMA fans will witness a packed schedule with events from PFL, UFC, and Bellator. The UFC Fight Night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, features a main event between former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker and rising star Ikram Aliskerov, who stepped in on short notice. Aliskerov has a chance to make a significant leap in the rankings with a win. Bellator's Champions Series in Dublin will see Jason Jackson defend his welterweight title. The article also discusses the impact of Saudi Arabia's growing influence in combat sports and the absence of Khamzat Chimaev from the UFC event.
All fighters successfully made weight for UFC Saudi Arabia, including Robert Whittaker and short-notice opponent Ikram Aliskerov. Kelvin Gastelum's bout was changed to middleweight due to weight cut issues.