Nikita Krylov vs. Robert Whittaker being planned for UFC 329 on July 12

Sources are reporting that the UFC is working toward booking Nikita Krylov against Robert Whittaker at UFC 329, tentatively scheduled for July 11, 2026. No official announcement has been made, and the matchup should be treated as unconfirmed for now.

Krylov, 34, is a Ukrainian light heavyweight ranked 13th in the division. Standing six-foot-three with a 77-inch reach, "The Miner" carries a 31-11-0 overall record and has gone 12-9 inside the Octagon. He is an active and well-rounded threat, averaging 4.36 significant strikes per minute at 54 percent accuracy while also posting 2.05 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes.

Whittaker, 35, is a six-foot, 185 cm Australian who competes at middleweight and currently sits sixth in that division. "The Reaper" holds a 27-9-0 record with a 17-7 mark in the UFC, and he is one of the more technically precise strikers in the sport, averaging 4.39 significant strikes per minute. His 73-inch reach and polished boxing have made him a consistent contender at 185 pounds for the better part of a decade.

Why it matters

• The bout would be a cross-divisional matchup, with Krylov operating at 205 pounds and Whittaker a decorated veteran of the middleweight division, making the weight arrangement a key detail still to be resolved officially.
• A win for either fighter would carry considerable momentum — Krylov could push further into the crowded light heavyweight top ten, while Whittaker at rank six in the middleweight division is always one strong performance away from another title shot conversation.
• Both fighters are high-output orthodox strikers averaging nearly identical significant strike rates, setting up what could be a fast-paced stand-up contest if the report is confirmed.