Robert Whittaker takes umbrage with Joe Rogan criticizing UFC 329 physique

Robert Whittaker successfully made his light heavyweight debut at UFC 329, finishing Nikita Krylov by third-round TKO in the featured prelim at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, weighing approximately 230 pounds at fight time. Commentator Joe Rogan remarked that Whittaker appeared softer in his new weight class compared to Paulo Costa, who competed at 205 pounds at UFC 327. Whittaker, now 27-9 in MMA, pushed back on the commentary during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, attributing his appearance to salt bloat and explaining that nerves affected his pacing in the first round.