Robert Whittaker shuts down welterweight comeback, light-heavyweight on the table: “Going up is an option”

By Josh Evanoff - March 9, 2022

Robert Whittaker has shut down a potential move back down to welterweight. He has, however, noted that a move upwards is on the table.

Robert-Whittaker

‘The Reaper’ was last in action at UFC 271 against Israel Adesanya. While he put forth an admirable performance, he lost the bout via unanimous decision in a bid for the middleweight title. With the defeat, he moved to 0-2 in the series with ‘The Last Stylebender’.

Following the loss, many such as Brendan Schaub advised the former UFC middleweight champion to move down to 170-pounds. Whittaker used to fight at welterweight for the first half of his MMA career, before moving up in 2014. Many fans also speculated that he might move down following a tweet where ‘The Reaper’ says he is getting skinny.

However, Robert Whittaker has shut down a potential move back down to 170-pounds. He discussed the situation The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, and instead noted that a move upwards is on the table.

Robert Whittaker

Image Credit: UFC

“I consider camp Rob, as Skinny Rob. You know? That’s why in a lot of my posts previously I’ve said things like, ‘OK, Skinny Rob’s on the shelf now for a while,’ etc, etc. But everyone was just like, ‘He’s going back to 170! Looking at how skinny he is already!’ People don’t realize how heavy I walk around. So, I’ll walk around 215 [pounds], 220 in life. That’s just my living weight.” – said Robert Whittaker on The MMA Hour (h/t MMAFighting)

Whittaker instead clarified that a move upwards is on the table.

“I’ve considered it, because going up is definitely the option, not going down. I’ve considered it. But the only thing is, I feel like I’m so good at middleweight. I’ve got the cut well down. My strength versus cardio versus speed is just on point. I feel like I’d lose some of that if I move up to 205, so it might be, I don’t know, I think I’m going to try and just work my way up to a title shot here one more time and then play with the idea afterward.”

What do you think about Robert Whittaker potentially moving up to light-heavyweight? Sound off in the comments below!


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Robert Whittaker UFC