Overview
- Whittaker is officially booked to fight Nikita Krylov on Saturday, July 11, at UFC 329 in Las Vegas on the card headlined by McGregor vs. Holloway.
- He told Demetrious Johnson that he has bulked up carefully, is walking around at about 220–225 pounds, and feels the heavier weight is a more natural place for him.
- Fans and social posts have questioned his size after a viral camp photo, and Whittaker has publicly pushed back, saying online reaction misunderstands his body composition and preparation.
- Oddsmakers list Whittaker as the favorite and Krylov as the underdog, with Krylov entering off a recent KO win while Whittaker has not fought since a split-decision loss last summer to Reinier de Ridder.
- Moving from 185 to 205 pounds means a different training focus and less extreme cutting, a change that could preserve Whittaker’s speed but will test how his timing and power translate against larger light heavyweights.