Rob Whittaker will compete in a new weight class at UFC 329, live July 11 on Paramount+. The former middleweight champion looks to turn back the clock as he makes the transition.
Robert Whittaker is stepping out of his comfort zone at UFC 329, moving up from middleweight to compete in a new weight class on July 11, live on Paramount+.
Whittaker, 35, enters the bout ranked sixth in the middleweight division with a career record of 27 wins and 9 losses. The Australian, who trains out of PMA Super Martial Arts, is one of the most decorated fighters in middleweight history, having previously held the undisputed championship in the division. Standing six feet tall with a 73-inch reach, the orthodox striker brings a well-rounded offensive game to the table, averaging 4.39 significant strikes landed per minute at a 43 percent accuracy rate. His grappling is measured but present, with 0.73 takedowns attempted per 15 minutes, though submission attempts have not been a feature of his game.
Why it matters
- Whittaker's move up in weight class represents a bold career pivot at age 35, signaling a willingness to reinvent himself rather than continue grinding through a loaded middleweight roster.
- Success in a new division could revitalize his championship prospects, while a setback would raise questions about the next chapter of his career.
- His high-volume striking style will be tested against opponents potentially carrying more natural size and strength at the higher weight class.
Saturday, July 11, 2026
