Ex-Champion Robert Whittaker Urges UFC Matchmakers to Deliver Epic ‘Legend vs Legend’ Matchup

Robert Whittaker made a successful transition to the light heavyweight division with a knockout victory at UFC 329.

Ex-Champion Robert Whittaker Urges UFC Matchmakers to Deliver Epic ‘Legend vs Legend’ Matchup

Robert Whittaker calls for next matchup (via Bloody Elbow, Instagram)

Robert Whittaker returned to competition at UFC 329 and knocked out Nikita Krylov to make an immediate mark at 205 pounds. As he enters the final stretch of his career, Whittaker is searching for his next opponent. Interestingly, former champion Jan Blachowicz has now put his name in the mix after facing a major loss at UFC Belgrade.

Whittaker moved to light heavyweight after facing back-to-back disappointments at middleweight. He lost to Reinier de Ridder via split decision at UFC Abu Dhabi in July 2025. Before that, Chechen phenom Khamzat Chimaev defeated him at UFC 308, with a face crank causing a severe dental fracture.

An old interview featuring Whittaker and Blachowicz recently resurfaced, showing both fighters seemingly rejecting a matchup. Their then-new friendship appeared to influence that decision. Years later, Blachowicz commented on the post, asking Whittaker to make the fight a reality. The Australian star responded by asking UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard to consider the matchup.

Send location @mickmaynard2

Rober Whittaker via Instagram

Blachowicz has endured a winless stretch heading into his latest UFC appearance. His most recent setback came at UFC Belgrade, the promotion’s first event in Serbia. The former champion faced rising contender Navajo Stirling, who stopped him with a first-round knockout. The loss added another setback to Blachowicz’s run in the light heavyweight division.

The Polish star’s last win came in 2022, when he defeated Aleksandar Rakic in the UFC Vegas 54 main event. However, the victory ended disappointingly after Rakic suffered a serious knee injury in the third round. Rakic’s knee buckled as he stepped backward, forcing the referee to stop the fight at 1:11 of the round.

Blachowicz’s struggles continued with draws against Magomed Ankalaev and Bogdan Guskov. His UFC 282 fight with Ankalaev ended in a controversial split draw for the vacant title. He later drew Guskov at UFC 323, but their rematch was canceled twice. Blachowicz withdrew from UFC 328 with a meniscus injury before Guskov was later rebooked for UFC Abu Dhabi.

Ahead of UFC 329, major questions surrounded Whittaker’s move to light heavyweight and his ability to compete at 205 pounds. Some also questioned whether the former middleweight champion had the size to match the division’s top fighters. However, ‘The Reaper’ answered those doubts at UFC 329.

Jan Blachowicz is currently 43, while Robert Whittaker is 35 and does not expect a middleweight title shot after his recent setbacks.

UFC 329 shifted that momentum, giving Whittaker a fresh opportunity at 205 pounds. A win over the Polish veteran could put him on a path toward undisputed light heavyweight gold.

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Robert Whittaker shuts down former rival and calls out Magomed Ankalaev

Magomed Ankalaev reached the pinnacle of his UFC career at UFC 313, handing Alex Pereira his first loss at 205 pounds to become the undisputed light heavyweight champion. However, his reign was short-lived after the Brazilian superstar knocked out Ankalaev in the first round of their rematch at UFC 320.

Ankalaev returned to the win column against Bogdan Guskov in the UFC Abu Dhabi main event. He controlled the fight across four rounds before finishing Guskov with ground-and-pound at 2:41 of the fifth round. The victory marked Ankalaev’s first win since losing the light heavyweight title to Pereira.

Robert Whittaker
Robert Whittaker (via MMA Fighting)

Paulo Costa has emerged as a major force at light heavyweight since moving up from the 185-pound division. The Brazilian made his 205-pound debut at UFC 327 against previously undefeated Azamat Murzakanov. Costa stopped Murzakanov with a third-round head-kick TKO at 1:23, making an immediate statement in his new division.

Robert Whittaker and Costa have already shared the Octagon, meeting at UFC 298 in a middleweight clash. Whittaker secured a unanimous decision victory after three competitive rounds at UFC 298.

Both fighters have since moved to light heavyweight, making a rematch a popular choice at the new weight class, while Whittaker is now targeting Ankalaev as his preferred opponent.

I’d love to get in there with, like, Ank. Jan just had a loss but would’ve loved to have jumped in there with him. People keep throwing the name Costa out there, but I’ve fought him before; there’s a lot of other guys out there. I won’t fight the boys that I train with. If we reach a point where we’re 1, 2 and 3, with me, Carlos and now Nav, I’m sure we can all sit down and find a way to get paid.

Robert Whittaker via Believe You Me podcast

Robert Whittaker also addressed his other New Zealand teammates competing at light heavyweight. Navajo Stirling recently made short work of former champion Jan Blachowicz, while Carlos Ulberg currently holds the division’s title. However, ‘The Reaper’ has made it clear that he does not want to consider fighting either teammate unless it becomes necessary.

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