Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker is coming off back-to-back losses for the first time in 11 years.
“The Reaper” last fought in July, dropping a split decision to Reinier de Ridder in the UFC on ABC 9 main event. Heading into the de Ridder bout, Whittaker was coming off a teeth-breaking loss to Khamzat Chimaev.
Whittaker’s not looking too far into the future but wants to get back in there next year. He’s just not sure what weight class it will be in.
“I think the division for middleweight is moving. It’s moving. I’m looking forward. It”s hard for me push too far into the future of next year. I don’t know why, but my brain cells just really struggle to go past New Year’s Eve right now. Like, we’re wrapping up this year, going into next year,” Whittaker said on the MMArcade Podcast.
“I want to get back in there next year. I don’t know how I want to do it. I’ve been working on some new skill sets, been working on some new things. I want to get in there probably about mid next year. I don’t know if it will be at middleweight,” Whittaker revealed.
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While not considered a large middleweight, Whittaker is kicking around the idea of moving up to the light heavyweight division. After all, he’s used to being the shorter fighter facing an opponent with longer reach.
“I’m actually playing with the idea,” Whittaker said. “I’m a bigger guy now. And everyone’s going to say, ‘Oh, he’s too short. Too short.’ They’re taller than me here (at middleweight). What’s the difference? You know what I mean? Everyone’s got height on me anyway. Everyone’s got reach on me anyway. What’s the difference? May as well just try something else.
“I don’t know. Thinking about playing with the idea, but that is next year Rob’s problem.”
