Robert Whittaker says other names were offered before Bogdan Guskov at UFC Sydney

The former middleweight champion meets Guskov in the co-main event at Afterpay Arena on 6 February, in what Whittaker says is a return to Sydney after 12 years.

By Combat Sports UK Staff · Published Mon 2 Nov, 18:10 UK · AI-assisted reporting

Robert Whittaker has given Bogdan Guskov credit for agreeing to fight him in Sydney, saying the UFC put other opponents forward before Guskov signed.

Speaking on his podcast, Whittaker said of the other options: “Everyone was either tied up or had excuses why they couldn’t do it, yada yada yada.” He added of Guskov: “Someone took the fight, flying all the way to Sydney to do it.” The bout, announced by the UFC, is the co-main event of UFC Sydney at Afterpay Arena on 6 February and will be Whittaker's second appearance at light heavyweight. He moved up to 205lb with a third-round knockout of Nikita Krylov at UFC 329 in July, while Guskov was stopped by Magomed Ankalaev in the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi that same month.

Whittaker called Guskov dangerous, pointing to his height, his reach and the power he carries as a light heavyweight. He said any clean shot from Guskov would hurt, and that his game plan remains to hit without being hit.

The fight also takes Whittaker back to the city after what he described as a long absence. He said: “I’ve climbed every mountain, I’ve done a lot of stuff, had a lot of battles and wars, and now I’m coming back to Sydney older, more mature, heavier, but just as sharp.”

In this story

Robert Whittaker Bogdan Guskov Nikita Krylov Magomed Ankalaev