UFC star directly calls out Joe Rogan for 'upsetting' comment made about physique
UFC light heavyweight Robert Whittaker has fiercely responded to Joe Rogan’s “disappointing” comments about his physique and performance at UFC 329.
Conor McGregor’s disappointing comeback captured the headlines at the Las Vegas event, with the Irishman sustaining a knee injury just seconds into his return against Max Holloway, while Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett impressed with a first-round submission win over Benoit Saint-Denis.
Lower down the fight card, Mario Bautista, Brandon Royval and King Green all secured victories, while former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker made his debut at light heavyweight, coming away with a third-round knockout victory over Nikita Krylov.
The victory was the Australian’s first since June 2024, when he claimed a win over Ikram Aliskerov.
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Whittaker’s physique looks noticeably different to his days at middleweight, with the 35-year-old coming in around 20lbs heavier to make the 205lbs limit.
Despite winning the fight in fine fashion, UFC commentator and popular podcaster Rogan described Whittaker’s physique as "soft" and "puffy".
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The American had also earlier suggested Krylov had found a "blueprint" to beat Whittaker before the latter changed the course of the fight and went on to win.
Robert Whittaker responds to Joe Rogan's UFC 329 comments
The Aussie has since responded via Bedtime MMA.
Whittaker described Rogan’s comments as "a little upsetting" before adding: "You know what it is. You should see the amount of memes that came out after that commentary; it’s crazy. It was wild. I picked up on that comment, but I assumed it was, like, an accident when they said they had ‘the blueprint to beat me.’ I don’t understand where that blueprint was. I don’t know, but I felt great.
"Obviously, this is my first fight at light heavyweight. First weight cut at light heavyweight. First re-feed. There’s a lot of things I can do differently because I realised while I still cut a fair amount day of, I don’t need to refuel as much because I’m eating the whole week full, the whole week into the wake-up, which means I’m kind of salt-loaded much more than I needed to be. But I felt strong, and I was still fast. I walked in there about 103 kilos [approx. 227 pounds], which is normal because I’m a heavyset guy, and I still had my speed behind me. You could see every time I put hands on Krylov, it wasn’t like pitter patter. He was getting hurt every time; I kind of set the pace with that. So I’m really happy and comfortable with my debut in the division."
Whittaker has since been linked with fights against top-15 contenders such as Khalil Rountree and Bogdan Guskov, as well as former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz.
On the prospect of future fights, Whittaker added: "Jan would be a good fight; I like that fight," Whittaker said. "I think Rountree or Bogdan, those guys are all good guys. I think Jiri [Prochazka] wants to fight Costa. It depends who’s ready. My whole thing with the UFC is I give them a date, and they give me a name. So whoever’s ready by the end of the year, I’ll step in there with.
"The light heavyweight division is so fluid right now. You can just have a good win and be put straight into a title conversation. Look at Costa. Came in and put in a really good showing, and he’s got a case of getting the title fight."
Topics: Joe Rogan
Luke Davies