Robert Whittaker is contemplating a attainable transfer to gentle heavyweight and is conscious of the naysayers.
Whittaker, a former UFC middleweight champion who not too long ago turned 35, mentioned he does not plan on combating in MMA for greater than a yr. He has expressed curiosity in shifting into boxing, so maybe he has many extra years within the martial arts world.
Earlier than he lastly hangs up his MMA gloves, Whittaker is contemplating shifting as much as the 205-pound weight class. “The Reaper” appeared on “MM Arcade Podcast” and responded to those that doubted his viability as a lightweight heavyweight (by way of MMAFighting).
“I need to get there in all probability in the course of subsequent yr. I do not know if it should be middleweight or not,” Whittaker mentioned. “I’m really toying with the concept (of shifting to gentle heavyweight), it’s a chance.
“I am an even bigger man now. Individuals will say, ‘Oh, he is too quick!'” Right here (middleweight) they’re taller than me, however what is the distinction? Anyway, everybody appreciates my peak. Everyone seems to be reaching out to me anyway. ”
Whittaker is within the midst of a two-game debacle. He suffered a submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev within the first spherical, adopted by a break up choice loss to Reinier de Ridder. Whittaker’s final win was again in June 2024, when he stopped Ikram Ariskerov by KO within the first spherical.
If the category is modified, a brand new matchup can be launched for “The Reaper”. There are numerous contenders within the gentle heavyweight division, and Whittaker’s potential to regulate regardless of the scale drawback can be a take a look at. As Whittaker mentioned on his podcast, he looks like he is usually outmatched when it comes to attain at middleweight, and he does not suppose it should be any worse at gentle heavyweight.
Whittaker has not but determined through which division he’ll combat subsequent. BJPenn.com will maintain you up to date on the previous champion’s choice.
