Robert Whittaker rips UFC 329 commentary for weight talk

Robert Whittaker took issue with how UFC 329 commentators discussed his physique during his heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight debut against Nikita Krylov earlier this month.

The former middleweight champion stopped Krylov in the third round but said the broadcast team spent the fight questioning whether he looked too small or out of shape for 205 pounds. "The commentary called me fat!" Whittaker told Ariel Helwani, per MMA Mania. "Talking about my weight. Did I look that out of shape? I had abs the day before. I just had some salt. Salt bloat going on."

Why Whittaker moved to heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight after middleweight struggles

Whittaker admitted he had doubts heading into the fight coming off back-to-back losses at middleweight, and the commentary did not help. He said outside voices questioned his size and height for the division, which forced him to tune out everything except his inner circle. The real motivation for the move came down to misery during weight cuts, he explained. Around weeks four and five of recent camps at 185, his recovery bottomed out and he felt fragile heading into fight week. The drain colored everything from training sessions to time with his family.

Whittaker said he still believes he could have competed at middleweight but needed to find his love for the sport again. The switch to light heavyweight gave him that reset. He now sees opportunity in a division reshuffled by injuries and champion Alex Pereira's recent move to heavyweight. One strong performance could put him in title contention, he noted.

Whittaker faces an open field at 205 with his next booking yet to be announced.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Robert Whittaker rips UFC 329 commentary team for calling him fat: ‘Did I look that out of shape?’