Former UFC middleweight king Robert Whittaker has committed to a
permanent move to 205. | 📷: Getty/UFC

Robert
Whittaker acknowledges the “risk and threat†of moving up to
light heavyweight in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Ahead of his fight with Nikita
Krylov at
UFC 329 on Saturday, July 11, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas,
Whittaker reflected on how power is among the most important
factors in the light heavyweight division, regardless of individual
skill level.

Robert Whittaker breaks down the dangers of light heavyweight
move

Whittaker, who has committed to a permanent move up to the light
heavyweight division, spoke about the challenging aspects of the
move ahead of UFC 329. The Australian highlighted that power is the
equalizer and that, irrespective of technical ability, almost all
strikes absorbed at 205 pounds will be damaging.

“You see, power is the ultimate equaliser, and I understand that,â€
the former UFC middleweight champion said in a recent interview. “I
understand that you don't… It doesn't matter how technical you are;
if you get hit hard by a heavy dude, it's going to hurt. So, I
understand the risk and the threat. That is the danger of moving up
to light heavyweight.â€

Nevertheless, Whittaker remains confident his skills will translate
to the heavier division.

“But I believe my skill set is champion level,†he added. “The
speed that I have, the physicality that I have, are at a champion
level, and I am going to bring them.â€

Whittaker is coming off back-to-back losses at middleweight, which
prompted the move. Krylov, his next opponent, is a seasoned veteran
and a natural 205-pounder. However, the Ukrainian-born Russian
isn't known for his power, relying on durability and grappling
skills instead.

Paddy Pimblett took issue with the lightweight title case of
Arman Tsarukyan (pictured). | 📷: Getty/UFC

Paddy
Pimblett doesn’t believe Arman
Tsarukyan has done enough to deserve a title shot.

Pimblett recently criticized Tsarukyan’s inactivity in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship and urged him to stop “tickling
people” in wrestling matches if he wants to stay relevant.

Paddy Pimblett discusses Arman Tsarukyan's lightweight title
hopes

Ahead of his upcoming fight in the co-main event of
UFC 329 against Benoit St.
Denis, Pimblett scoffed at the suggestion that Tsarukyan should
be considered next for a title shot.

“He needs to fight,†Pimblett said at UFC 329 media day when asked
about Tsarukyan. “He's had like one fight in three years, and he
beat an absolute bum. He needs to actually fight. Not go around in
a singlet tickling people.â€

Tsarukyan has competed in multiple RAF wrestling events lately,
with his last appearance in the Octagon coming against Dan Hooker in
November of last year, a result Pimblett clearly doesn't rate very
highly. “[Fight] anyone. Just fight someone,†he further added.
“Get in the Octagon and actually fight. Stop going around on your
private jet eating food.â€

Tsarukyan has been campaigning for a title shot for quite some time
now, but current lightweight champion Justin
Gaethje, who's coming off wins over Pimblett and Ilia
Topuria, hasn't welcomed the matchup, seemingly eyeing more
high-profile fights.

King
Green feels his opponent took the fight due to a perceived
advantage. | 📷: Getty/UFC

King
Green initially wasn't keen on fighting Terrance
McKinney.

Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweights Green and McKinney
are set to collide at
UFC 329 on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The former
recently revealed that he was with the latter a week before the
booking came together and was surprised to find that “T.Wrecksâ€
accepted the fight.

King Green details how Terrance McKinney fight came to
fruition

Green considers McKinney a “homie,†which is why he was surprised
at the matchup. Paying heed to Nate Diaz's
advice, the 39-year-old didn't want to fight someone he considers a
friend. However, despite Green conveying the same to McKinney, the
rising 155-pounder's acceptance of the fight contract has seemingly
offended the UFC veteran.

“Terrance McKinney was supposed to be my homie. I was hanging out
with Terrance a week before we took the fight,†Green said on an
episode of UFC 329's “Embedded†video series. “And Terrance, I'm
telling him like, ‘We're homies…' Nate Diaz broke it down to me —
you ain't supposed to fight the homies. I'm like, ‘Bro, I thought
we was homies. What's up? Why are you trying to fight me?' He ended
up texting me like, ‘Hey, they still want me to take the
fight.'â€

Green now believes McKinney sees this as a favorable matchup, which
is motivating him going into UFC 329. “I was like, ‘Let's do it,
bro.' Maybe you think this is an easy fight. Maybe you think I'm
some sucker or some bitch, we're gonna fight. Let's go fight then.
Let's get it cracking,†Green added.

Green (35-17) is currently on a three-fight win streak with two
finishes. Meanwhile, McKinney (18-8) has finished all 8 of his UFC
wins in the first round and has never seen the judges' scorecards
in his entire career.