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Robert Whittaker says he will not fight light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg because they train at the same gym
The former middleweight champion, moving up in weight for UFC 329, stated he refuses to face teammates or training partners. Ulberg won the title in April. Whittaker faces Nikita Krylov on the McGregor return card.
Jul 11, 3:00 PM·1m read5 sources
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Robert Whittaker said he will never fight light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg, citing a policy against facing training partners or teammates. Whittaker, who is debuting at 205 pounds against Nikita Krylov in the featured prelim at UFC 329 in Las Vegas on Saturday, made the comments during a fight-week interview. The event serves as Conor McGregor’s return card.
Ulberg claimed the title by knocking out Jiri Prochazka at UFC 327 in April. Whittaker has begun training at City Kickboxing in Auckland, the same gym where Ulberg and several other champions have prepared. “I’d never fight anyone I train with, or break bread with,” Whittaker told Fox Sports Australia.
“And right at the moment, it’s not even a discussion anyway. ” Whittaker added that he does not fight teammates. UFC president Dana White has previously criticized fighters who declined bouts against friends, including Ante Delija and Tom Aspinall.
Whittaker’s remarks were reported on July 11.
