Whittaker Stops Krylov in UFC 329 Light Heavyweight Debut
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- Robert Whittaker defeated Nikita Krylov via third-round TKO in the light heavyweight prelim bout at UFC 329 in Las Vegas on Saturday, remaining undefeated at 205 pounds in his divisional debut.
- Whittaker and Krylov showed a visible size discrepancy, and Krylov — who had previously fought at heavyweight — took Whittaker down early, working from his back before Whittaker broke free.
- Whittaker dissected Krylov with superior striking, landing a Round 3 combination that left Krylov wincing, turning away, and clutching his jaw — prompting the referee to stop the fight.
- Post-fight, Whittaker told critics who doubted his 205-pound potential: "Feast your eyes on that. I'm a small light heavyweight, eh?" and declared: "My middleweight chapter is closed."
- Whittaker launched his UFC career at welterweight by winning "The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes," later becoming middleweight champion with notable wins over Yoel Romero (twice) and Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza.
Why it matters: Whittaker, now 1-0 at 205 pounds, immediately inserts himself into the light heavyweight contender picture from his very first fight in the division. His post-fight declaration that his middleweight career is "closed" signals a full commitment to light heavyweight, where his post-fight jab ("I'm a small light heavyweight, eh?") doubles as a warning to the division's established names that the former champion plans to climb fast.
