Robert Whittaker has mapped out his plans for his next UFC fight.
Whittaker made good on his light heavyweight debut when he finished Nikita Krylov at UFC 329. With the UFC having headed to Sydney, Australia in February for the past two years, Whittaker sees that as a good timeline for his return – should that be the case for 2027.
Former UFC middleweight champion Whittaker (27-9 MMA, 18-7 UFC) hasn’t fought in his hometown of Sydney since finishing Clint Hester in 2014.
“Unfortunately not a lot of fight news,” Whittaker told Fox Sports Australia. “I am training and preparing for things, but honestly, I heard rumors that UFC is coming to Sydney early next year. I know I’ve been saying I want to fight in Sydney and fight at home for a long time so, here we are. I’m going to try and reserve myself, save myself, prepare for the best, and hopefully get in there.”
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz (29-12-2 MMA, 12-9-2 UFC) accepted Whittaker’s prior callout, and Whittaker hopes the Polish fighter is still up for the challenge. Blachowicz is coming off a first-round TKO loss to Navajo Stirling at at UFC Fight Night 283 in August.
“He’s the only one who hit back, and he’s happy for that fight,” Whittaker said of Blachowicz. “He’s happy for that fight, I’m happy for that fight, and that’s where we’re at. But, I’m preparing for anybody and anything. Just looking to get out there and get my hand raised one more time.”