Robert Whittaker to Face Nikita Krylov at Light Heavyweight on UFC 329 Prelims

Robert Whittaker will fight Nikita Krylov in the featured prelim at UFC 329 in Las Vegas on Saturday. Whittaker is moving from middleweight to light heavyweight for the bout on the card headlined by Conor McGregor’s return. Carlos Ulberg became light heavyweight champion by knocking out Jiri Prochazka at UFC 327 in April 2026.

Whittaker has begun training at City Kickboxing in Auckland, the same gym where Ulberg and several other titleholders have prepared. Whittaker told Fox Sports Australia he would never fight Ulberg. “I’d never fight anyone I train with, or break bread with,” he said.

Yardbarker.com reported that the remarks are unlikely to please UFC president Dana White, who has previously criticized fighters who decline to face training partners. Whittaker’s first test at 205 pounds comes against veteran contender Krylov.