Whittaker Names Ankalaev In Light Heavyweight Targets

Robert Whittaker has laid out a list of potential heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight opponents following his successful division debut against Nikita Krylov last month.

The former middleweight champion picked up a decision win over Krylov at UFC 329, marking his first bout at 205 pounds after years of competing in the middleweight ranks. Now settled at light heavyweight, Whittaker has his eyes on several names in the division.

Whittaker's heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">Light Heavyweight Hit List

Speaking on the Believe You Me podcast, Whittaker said he would welcome a clash with Magomed Ankalaev and expressed interest in facing Jan Blachowicz despite the former champion's recent loss. "I'd love to get in there with Ank," Whittaker said, per MMA Fighting. "I'd love to get in there with — well, Jan just had a loss, but I would have loved to jump in there with him. Bogdan would have been great. Anyone up."

Whittaker ruled out fights with training partners Carlos Ulberg and Navajo Stirling, though he left the door open if all three reached the top of the rankings. He also dismissed the idea of facing Paulo Costa again, noting they have already fought.

The Australian said he is enjoying the challenge of climbing the light heavyweight ladder. "I'm enjoying the progression. I'm enjoying coming up and going through the rankings again. It feels like a new chapter because of that," he told the podcast.

Whittaker's next opponent has not been announced. The UFC's light heavyweight division currently features champion Carlos Ulberg, with contenders including Ankalaev, Blachowicz, and Bogdan Guskov positioned near the top of the rankings.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Robert Whittaker lays out possible opponents for light heavyweight run