Robert Whittaker appears to be on the verge of a new career phase, with his next opponent reportedly lined up.
Whittaker’s last outing was at UFC Abu Dhabi in July 2025, where he narrowly lost a split decision to Reinier de Ridder. Following this defeat, the former UFC middleweight champion, who initially joined the promotion as a welterweight after winning The Ultimate Fighter in 2012, announced his intention to move up to the light heavyweight division.
While initial speculation suggested Magomed Ankalaev as a potential opponent for “The Reaper” in his new weight class, the 35-year-old Australian later indicated this was not the case. Now, Whittaker seems to be in the final stages of finalizing an opponent for his debut at 205 pounds.
Robert Whittaker in Talks to Face Nikita Krylov at UFC 329 on July 11
According to a recent report from Vestnik MMA on X, Robert Whittaker is in discussions to face the experienced Nikita Krylov for his light heavyweight debut. The fight is slated to occur at UFC 329, which is scheduled for International Fight Week on July 11 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Whittaker boasts a UFC record of 17 wins and 7 losses, with an overall professional record of 27 wins and 9 losses. His career is marked by significant victories over formidable opponents such as Paulo Costa, Yoel Romero, and Kelvin Gastelum.
Meanwhile, Krylov last competed at UFC 324 in January, where he secured a third-round finish against Modestas Bukauskas, rebounding from two consecutive knockout losses in 2025. “The Miner” has been a consistent presence in the UFC’s light heavyweight division since September 2018, having achieved notable wins against fighters like Alexander Gustafsson, Ryan Spann, and Johnny Walker.
The 33-year-old Ukrainian holds a 12-9 record within the UFC and an extensive professional record of 31 wins and 11 losses.