UFC Light Heavyweight, Robert Whittaker to Joe Rogan

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UFC Light Heavyweight, Robert Whittaker to Joe Rogan

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Brian Mazique | Last updated Aug 5, 2026 5:07 PM ET

Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker is a pretty mild-mannered guy. However, Whittaker took umbrage with UFC color analyst Joe Rogan's criticism of his physique during the former's successful debut at light heavyweight. Whittaker defeated Nikita Krylov via TKO to stamp his arrival at 205 pounds.

During the match, Rogan made several unflattering remarks about Whittaker's fleshier build. The comments were the genesis for memes and obviously, it all got back to Whittaker.

Key Facts at a Glance

Detail	Info
Fighter	Robert Whittaker, 27-9 MMA, 18-7 UFC
Credential	Former UFC middleweight champion
Event	UFC 329: McGregor vs. Holloway 2, July 11, 2026
Venue	T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
Result	TKO win over Nikita Krylov, third round, featured prelim
Division	Light heavyweight debut at 205 pounds
Fight-night weight	Roughly 230 pounds on the walk to the octagon
Commentary team	Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier
Rogan's remark	Said Whittaker looked different and softer in the new weight class
Whittaker's response	Made on Bedtime MMA, roughly a month after the fight

Speaking to Bedtime MMA, Whittaker said the commentary was a little upsetting and pointed to the volume of memes it produced. His sharpest objection was aimed at the suggestion that Krylov's camp had a plan to solve him. "I don't understand where that blueprint was," Whittaker said.

Robert Whittaker WAS NOT A FAN of Joe Rogan's commentary during his knockout win at #UFC 329

Agree?

https://t.co/qWXj9C0oTE pic.twitter.com/61QwfeJIEI
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) August 5, 2026

We'll see if Rogan responds. He probably will and it won't be with much animosity. He seems to like Whittaker and while his comments were hyper-focused on the fighter's physique, I believe it was more fueled by genuine analysis and advice to help the future Hall-of-Famer moving forward.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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