Robert Whittaker (17-7 UFC) and Nikita Krylov (12-9 UFC) are reportedly in talks for a bout at UFC 329 on July 12. This would mark Whittaker's debut in the light heavyweight division after competing at middleweight throughout his UFC career. According to sources from Vestnik MMA, the matchup is currently being developed but not yet finalized. The fight would represent a significant move up in weight for the former middleweight champion Whittaker. Both fighters are looking to rebound from recent setbacks in their respective divisions.
Sources close to the negotiations report that former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker and light heavyweight contender Nikita Krylov are being targeted to meet at UFC 329 on July 11, according to Vestnik MMA. The matchup has not been officially confirmed, and talks are said to still be in development.
Whittaker, nicknamed "The Reaper," carries a 27-9 overall record and is currently ranked sixth in the middleweight division. The 35-year-old Australian out of PMA Super Martial Arts stands six feet tall with a 73-inch reach. A former middleweight world champion, Whittaker has spent his entire UFC career at 185 pounds, making this a potential divisional debut at light heavyweight. He lands 4.39 significant strikes per minute at 43 percent accuracy and has rarely looked to the ground game, averaging just 0.73 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Krylov, known as "The Miner," is a 34-year-old Ukrainian currently ranked 13th at light heavyweight with a professional record of 31-11. He fights out of Raty Team and brings notable physical advantages to this potential matchup, standing six-foot-three at 191 cm with a 77-inch reach. Krylov is an active and well-rounded threat, landing 4.36 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 54 percent accuracy while also averaging 2.05 takedowns and 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Whittaker would be stepping up a full weight class, testing his frame and durability against a natural light heavyweight
- Krylov holds significant size and reach advantages — three inches in height and four inches in reach
- A win for Whittaker in a new division could dramatically reshape his career trajectory; a win for Krylov lifts him inside the top ten at 205 pounds
- Both fighters are described as coming off recent setbacks, raising the stakes for each man's momentum
Saturday, July 11, 2026
