Whittaker On Ankalaev After Blachowicz Callout

Robert Whittaker is eyeing Magomed Ankalaev for his next heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight outing, though former champion Jan Blachowicz is pushing for the fight after being named by the Australian.

Whittaker stopped Nikita Krylov in the third round at UFC 329 last month, entering the 205-pound rankings with his first finish in the division. The former middleweight king told the Believe You Me podcast he would welcome a matchup with Ankalaev or Bogdan Guskov as he climbs the ladder. "I'd love to get in there with Ank," Whittaker said, per MMA Fighting. "Anyone up. People keep throwing the name Costa out there, but I fought him before. There's a lot of other guys to fight as well."

Whittaker Rules Out Training Partners Ulberg and Stirling

Whittaker confirmed he will not fight teammates Carlos Ulberg or Navajo Stirling, who hold the belt and just knocked out Blachowicz at UFC Belgrade respectively. "I won't fight the boys that I train with," he said. "If we reach a point where we're one, two, and three with me, Carlos, and Nav, then I'm sure we can all sit down and find a way to get paid bank, but there's a lot of people to fight."

Blachowicz responded to the Australian's remarks on Thursday with a social media callout. "Hey Robert Whittaker! Let's turn your words into action," the Pole wrote. Whittaker has not yet replied to the offer.

Ulberg is sidelined with a leg injury and has no timeline for return. Whittaker said he is enjoying the climb through a new weight class and wants to face ranked opposition as he works toward a title shot.

Original reporting:

• mmafighting.com — Robert Whittaker wants top opponent for next light heavyweight fight, Jan Blachowicz volunteers | MMA Fighting