Robert Whittaker on gaming, career reset and his move to light heavyweight

Robert Whittaker, the former UFC middleweight champion, has sat down for a wide-ranging conversation covering his love of video games and his decision to move up to light heavyweight following a defeat to Reinier de Ridder in July 2025.

Speaking with Jose Youngs, Whittaker revealed a deep affection for open-world RPGs and classic gaming franchises, naming The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk, The Witcher 3, Digimon, and the original Pokémon among his favourites. The candid chat offered a rare glimpse into the life of one of MMA’s most decorated middleweights away from the octagon.

The loss to de Ridder marked a significant turning point for “The Reaper”. Rather than continuing to chase another middleweight title shot, Whittaker — who has spent the better part of a decade among the elite at 185 lbs — opted to test himself at light heavyweight, a move confirmed for UFC 329.

Whittaker carries a professional record of 26-9 into his new division. His middleweight résumé reads as one of the most impressive in the weight class’s history, featuring victories over Yoel Romero (twice), Paulo Costa, Marvin Vettori, Kelvin Gastelum, Darren Till, Jared Cannonier, Derek Brunson, Ronaldo ‘Jacaré’ Souza, and Uriah Hall.

The Australian’s willingness to reinvent himself at this stage of his career underlines both his competitive drive and the reality that the middleweight title picture has moved on. Whether the step up to 205 lbs revitalises his championship ambitions remains to be seen, but Whittaker arrives in the new division with the pedigree and experience few light heavyweights can match.