Ex-UFC Middleweight King Robert Whittaker Ponders Future Move to 205 Pounds

Robert Whittaker has significant business ahead of him at UFC Fight Night 209, when he is scheduled to meet Marvin Vettori in the middleweight co-main event in Paris.

While the former champion remains one of the top fighters in the division, he admits to pondering a future at light heavyweight. If Whittaker does make the move, he would want to make sure it’s done the right way.

“I’ve been thinking about 205 a fair bit,” Whittaker said in a recent interview with Submission Radio. “The problem is, I wouldn’t go to 205 to come back down to 185, just because I don’t want to go to 205 as a fat 185, right? You see a lot of guys try that and they just get starched. And then they come back down. It doesn’t make sense.”

Whittaker began his UFC tenure as a welterweight before moving to 185 pounds, where he enjoyed his greatest success. “The Reaper” has won 11 of 13 Octagon appearances at middleweight, capturing championship gold along the way.

“When I moved up to 185 the first time, there was no way I would never go back down to 170,” Whittaker said. “I could never. Got to put on muscle, you have to train at that weight. Got to do all of the bits and bobs, then and there. But I’ve been thinking about 205. I think it will be a more natural weight for me, personally, but the height disadvantage is annoying. I don’t know if I would want to deal with that.”

With an 0-2 record against middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, Whittaker’s path back to the title is difficult as long as “The Last Stylebender” continues to reign. The PMA Super Martial Arts representative believes it’s possible that he could conclude his fighting career at light heavyweight.

“Once I make the decision to go up to 205, I’m there,” Whittaker said. “That’ll be my division. I’d finish my career there, for better or worse. I’m doing really well at 185. Really well. I’m definitely one of the most dangerous men in the division.”