Whittaker Eyes Light Heavyweight Bout; Blachowicz Steps up

WHO:

MMA Fighting - Robert Whittaker, Jan Blachowicz, Nikita Krylov, Carlos Ulberg, Navajo Stirling

MMA Fighting - Whittaker is a former middleweight champion and current light heavyweight fighter.

MMA Fighting - Blachowicz is a former UFC light heavyweight champion.

WHAT:

MMA Fighting - Whittaker stated, “I’d love to get in there with Ank [Magomed Ankalaev],” and mentioned he is open to fighting “anyone up” in the light heavyweight division.

MMA Fighting - Whittaker expressed that he is enjoying the progression in the rankings and described it as “a new chapter” in his career.

MMA Fighting - Ulberg is currently the light heavyweight champion but is out of action for the foreseeable future due to a leg injury.

MMA Fighting - Stirling recently knocked out Jan Blachowicz at UFC Belgrade.

MMA Fighting - Robert Whittaker made his light heavyweight debut, finishing Nikita Krylov in the third round at UFC 329.

MMA Fighting - Whittaker expressed interest in fighting Magomed Ankalaev and Jan Blachowicz.

MMA Fighting - Blachowicz called out Whittaker on social media, stating, “Hey Robert Whittaker! Let’s turn your words into action.”

WHERE:

MMA Fighting - UFC 329 event took place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

MMA Fighting - Blachowicz knocked out by Stirling at UFC Belgrade.

WHEN:

MMA Fighting - Whittaker's fight against Nikita Krylov occurred on July 11, 2026.

MMA Fighting - Blachowicz's knockout loss occurred the weekend prior to the article.

WHY:

MMA Fighting - Whittaker is looking for a top opponent in the light heavyweight division after his recent victory.

HOW:

MMA Fighting - Whittaker stated he will not fight his training partners, Carlos Ulberg and Navajo Stirling, unless they reach a point where they are ranked one, two, and three.

Robert Whittaker has expressed his eagerness to face Magomed Ankalaev and is open to fighting anyone in the light heavyweight division, describing this phase of his career as “a new chapter.” Meanwhile, the current light heavyweight champion, Ulberg, is sidelined for the foreseeable future due to a leg injury. In recent action, Stirling scored a knockout victory over Jan Blachowicz at UFC Belgrade.