Published 70 days ago
Whittaker crushes Krylov at UFC 329 and shuts up Joe Rogan despite a record weigh-in weight
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Robert Whittaker delivered an MMA masterclass to Nikita Krylov at UFC 329, securing a resounding KO in three rounds. But it was his sharp retort to Joe Rogan that stole the show. The Australian, moving up to light heavyweight, swept aside doubts about his transition by physically and technically dominating his opponent, despite a weigh-in weight of 103 kg.
To remember:
- Robert Whittaker won by KO against Nikita Krylov at UFC 329 in three rounds.
- Whittaker called Joe Rogan’s comments about his physique "bothersome", despite his dominance.
- The Australian defended his 93 kg weight as optimal for his light heavyweight performance.
- He admitted to a slow start but quickly took control of the fight.
On October 21, 2023, UFC 329 delivered an unexpected spectacle: Robert Whittaker, the undisputed middleweight champion, moved up to light heavyweight and demolished Nikita Krylov. The fight, initially seen as a test for the Australian, turned into a display of dominance. In three rounds, Whittaker sent Krylov to the canvas with a stunning KO, even breaking his opponent’s jaw. A performance that silenced the skeptics, including Joe Rogan, whose comments had previously frustrated the champion.
Whittaker Shuts Rogan Up with a Dominant Performance
Before the fight, Joe Rogan had cast doubt on Whittaker’s preparation, calling his physique "too soft" for light heavyweight. A remark that deeply hurt the Australian. "His comments were bothersome," he admitted after his victory. Yet, in the cage, Whittaker proved that his 93 kg weight was an asset: speed preserved, power intact, and surgical technique. "I knew I had to show I could dominate in this division," he explained. A clear message sent to Rogan and all those who doubted his transition.
A Slow Start, but a Ruthless Finish
Whittaker admitted to a cautious start, perhaps too cautious. "Two kicks in one round is far from enough," he conceded. But that initial caution faded by the second round. Krylov, overwhelmed by Whittaker’s power and technique, never found an answer. The Australian champion strung together strikes, ground control, and ultimately sealed his advantage with a spectacular KO. A victory that validates his move to light heavyweight and, above all, silences the loudest critics.
Light Heavyweight Transition: A Successful Gamble?
Whittaker isn’t the first champion to try his hand at light heavyweight, but few have done so with such flair. His case is all the more interesting because he maintained remarkable speed and agility despite a weigh-in weight of 103 kg. "I feel good in this division," he stated. A declaration that rings as a response to those who thought his physique wouldn’t hold up. With this win, Whittaker doesn’t just win—he redefines the standards for transitioning between weight classes.
Whittaker turned a simple victory into a powerful statement: transitioning between weight classes isn’t a setback, but an opportunity. His KO over Krylov at UFC 329 will go down as one of the year’s defining moments, not just for its power, but for the slap in the face to the skeptics. Rogan included.