TLDR
- Robert Whittaker defeated Nikita Krylov via TKO at 1:01 of Round 3 at UFC 329
- Whittaker landed a devastating right hand that injured Krylov’s jaw, forcing him to stop fighting
- The win marked Whittaker’s successful debut at light heavyweight after moving up from middleweight
- Whittaker was coming off back-to-back losses to Khamzat Chimaev and Reinier de Ridder
- The 35-year-old confirmed he will remain at light heavyweight and has closed the middleweight chapter
Sources: mmajunkie.usatoday.com | sports.yahoo.com
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker scored a brutal third-round stoppage against Nikita Krylov at UFC 329 on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The victory marked a successful debut for the 35-year-old Australian in the light heavyweight division.
Whittaker landed a powerful right hand at 1:01 of the third round that appeared to injure Krylov’s jaw. After taking the shot, Krylov repeatedly flexed his jaw and retreated before signaling to the referee that he could not continue.
UFC CEO Dana White later clarified at the post-fight press conference that Krylov’s jaw was not actually broken, though the injury was severe enough to force him out of the fight.
Moving Up After Back-to-Back Losses
Whittaker moved up from middleweight after suffering consecutive defeats to Khamzat Chimaev and Reinier de Ridder. The former champion had lost four of his past seven fights before Saturday’s contest.
The Australian fighter admitted he felt nervous before the bout. “There were a lot of nerves,” Whittaker said after the fight.
Run it back with Robert Whittaker vs Paulo Costa, only this time at 205lbs?
[ DEEP WATERS LIVE NOW: https://t.co/IzUh79Si4S ] pic.twitter.com/cBR87tnI8j
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) July 13, 2026
Despite giving up size to the naturally larger Krylov, Whittaker used his speed advantage throughout the contest. Krylov attempted to use wrestling early but had little success implementing his game plan.
Speed and Precision Win the Night
Whittaker’s superior boxing skills became the deciding factor as the fight progressed. He landed swift combinations, double jabs followed by right hands, and even scored with a big right kick at the end of one round.
Krylov struggled to land meaningful strikes and telegraphed most of his attempts. Whittaker grew more confident as each round passed, even wobbling Krylov in the second round with a rushing combination.
The finish came early in the third round when Whittaker connected with the decisive blow. Krylov, clearly compromised, immediately knew he could not continue and waved off the fight himself.
After the victory, Whittaker confirmed he plans to remain at light heavyweight. “The middleweight page is closed,” he said.
Gable Steveson’s UFC Debut: Olympic Wrestler Flattens Ellison at UFC 329
Whittaker improved his record to 27-9 overall and 18-7 in the UFC. This was his first finish since defeating Marvin Vettori in 2021.
For Krylov, the loss dropped his record to 31-12 overall and 12-10 in the UFC. It marked his third defeat in his past four fights.
The bout took place on the preliminary card of UFC 329. Other results from the event included Gable Steveson knocking out Elisha Ellison in the first round and Adrian Yanez stopping former champion Cody Garbrandt.
