Robert Whittaker: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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Robert Whittaker says the Justin Gaethje who beat Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 won’t defeat Ilia Topuria Whittaker praised Topuria’s striking as “leagues

MMA News / The Body Lock / January 12

Sean Strickland Calls Robert Whittaker a ‘Gatekeeper’ Before UFC Houston

Sean Strickland called Robert Whittaker a ‘gatekeeper fighter’ and said beating him wouldn’t lead to a title shot Strickland used a crude party comparison

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 7

Sean Strickland Explains Why He Chose ‘American Chimaev’ Over Robert Whittaker for UFC Houston

“He can get it after I win my belt back,” Sean Strickland crushed down hopes on a Robert Whittaker bout. That hasn’t stopped the latter from making appeals at a shot against Strickland.

MMA News / MMA Weekly / December 30

Robert Whittaker considering moving up to the light heavyweight division in 2026

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.

MMA News / MMA on SI / December 28

UFC star stuns fans by suggesting he might move up to Alex Pereira's weight class

Fans might see former UFC middleweight titleholder Robert Whittaker test himself in a new weight class the next time he returns to the Octagon. A member

MMA News / MMA Weekly / October 23

Robert Whittaker 'would love to fight Sean Strickland'

Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has been calling for a fight against fellow former titleholder Sean Strickland most of the year. "I feel like we’ve both been in that top sort of the pond for a while circling each other,” Whittaker said during an appearance on the "On Paper with Anthony Smith" podcast in February.

MMA News / MMA Sucka / October 17

UFC Vancouver: Preview And Full Fight Card

The elite of the elite of the middleweight division come to a head at UFC Vancouver this weekend, as former ONE Championship royalty Reinier de Ridder looks to secure a title shot by toppling the formidable Brendan Allen during the UFC Vancouver main event.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / October 13

Reinier de Ridder Vs. Brendan Allen Preview

Middleweight Reinier de Ridder faces Brendan Allen at UFC Vancouver this weekend, as we preview the upcoming fight. De Ridder is coming off a win over former champion Robert Whittaker.

MMA News / MMA Sucka / September 26

Joe Rogan Rules Out Dricus Du Plessis Ever Beating Khamzat Chimaev in a Rematch

UFC 319’s main event turned out to be an eye-opening experience for Dricus Du Plessis. The former middleweight champion was dominated from start to finish by Khamzat Chimaev, losing his title in one of the most one-sided championship fights in UFC history.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / September 24

Robert Whittaker Vs. Sean Strickland – How Does It Play Out?

Robert Whittaker has called out Sean Strickland for a potential fight in Sydney, as we look at how the bout could play out. Whittaker is looking to get back to winnings ways after suffering two consecutive defeats.

MMA News / Total Apex Sports / September 22

Robert Whittaker Calls Out Sean Strickland for Potential Sydney Showdown in February 2026

Look, we’ve all been here before. A fighter coming off back-to-back losses suddenly starts making noise about wanting specific opponents. But when Robert Whittaker drops Sean Strickland’s name for his next fight, it’s not just desperate matchmaking – it’s actually pretty smart business.

MMA News / Dice City Sports / September 21

Robert Whittaker Eyes Suspended UFC Star in Sydney for 2026

Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has his sights set on a matchup that fans have long wanted to see. The 34-year-old Australian revealed he wants to face Sean Strickland when the UFC returns to Sydney in February 2026.

MMA News / MMA Weekly / September 2

Robert Whittaker no longer chasing titles, wants to enjoy the 'few fights left'

Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker is realistic about where he is in his fighting career. "The Reaper" knows that it's unlikely that he makes it back to a title fight, and regaining the world championship is a long shot at best. Whittaker has lost his last two fights.

MMA News / HITC / July 29

After second straight loss, Robert Whittaker opens up on what he’s aiming for next: ‘I’m longing for it…’

Moving up to middleweight, ‘The Reaper’ has never before experienced consecutive losses, a streak broken only recently. Robert Whittaker came up short against Reinier de Ridder in the main event at UFC Abu Dhabi over the weekend.

MMA News / MMA on SI / July 29

Robert Whittaker sends first message since Reinier de Ridder loss

Robert Whittaker is keeping his chin high after a super tight split decision loss to Reinier de Ridder in their UFC Abu Dhabi main event. 'The Reaper' looked the sharper fighter, landing harder shots and almost finishing the fight on one occasion, but fatigue and a dogged 'RDR' forced the upset.

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MMA News / Field Level Media / July 26

UFC Fight Night: Reinier de Ridder defeats Robert Whittaker by split decision

Reinier de Ridder took home a split-decision victory Saturday over Robert Whittaker in the main event of UFC Fight Night at Abu Dhabi. De Ridder (21-2-0 MMA) earned a 48-47 margin from two judges, Ben Cartlidge and David Lethaby, while Mike Bell was the lone judge to give the edge to Whittaker (27-9-0 MMA) at 48-47.

MMA News / Dice City Sports / July 26

Reinier de Ridder Powers Past Robert Whittaker

Reinier de Ridder’s split decision win over Robert Whittaker is a massive statement and solidifies his legitimacy as a rising force in the UFC’s middleweight division at UFC Abu Dhabi main event.

MMA News / MMA on SI / July 26

UFC stream: Whittaker vs. de Ridder LIVE and FREE

The future of the UFC middleweight title picture is decided tonight, when a new prospect is either made or broken in the Abu Dhabi Fight Night main event.

MMA News / MMA on SI / July 24

UFC bogeyman flattened Robert Whittaker’s teeth with savage choke

Robert Whittaker returns from one of the most devastating losses of his career when he steps in the Octagon this weekend at UFC Abu Dhabi. 'The Reaper' was once ontop of the world, holding the middleweight championship and defending it against Yoel Romero.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / July 24

Pros Predict Robert Whittaker Vs. Reinier de Ridder – ‘He Will Struggle’

Robert Whittaker takes on Reinier de Ridder on July 26 at UFC Abu Dhabi, as MMA pros gave their predictions. Whittaker has plenty to prove following his last performance.

MMA News / MMA Sucka / July 23

UFC Abu Dhabi Preview & Keys to Victory

UFC Abu Dhabi goes down this weekend with a huge middleweight fight headlining the promotion’s return to the Etihad Arena. Former interim and undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker, returns to action and looks to get back in the win column when he meets streaking contender, Reinier de Ridder.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / July 23

UFC Fight Night – Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridder: Preview & Betting Tips

The middleweight division has a potential passing of the torch fight this weekend as former UFC champion Robert Whittaker takes on rising contender and former ONE Championship titleholder Reinier de Ridder in the main event of the latest UFC Fight Night.

MMA News / Athlon Sports / July 4

Former UFC champion drops a quiet hint about retirement

There comes a time in every fighter’s career when the end feels closer than the beginning.

MMA News / Athlon Sports / June 18

UFC Abu Dhabi: Robert Whittaker’s Legacy Fight Comes With High Stakes and No Margin for Error

The UFC is returning to Abu Dhabi this summer, and Dana White has confirmed a massive lineup for the July 26 Fight Night event at the Etihad Arena. Headlining the card is former champion Robert Whittaker, who will face Reinier de Ridder in a pivotal middleweight showdown.