Robert Whittaker's Next Fight Target: Sydney 2027

Robert Whittaker knows exactly where he wants the next chapter of his career to unfold – and when.

Fresh off a statement-making light heavyweight debut at UFC 329, where he stopped Nikita Krylov, the former middleweight champion has circled an old, familiar date on the calendar. The UFC has rolled into Sydney in February for the past two years. If that pattern holds for 2027, Whittaker wants in.

And this time, he wants it at home.

He hasn’t fought in Sydney since 2014, when he finished Clint Hester. A decade and a half of title runs, main events and global tours later, the hometown cage still calls.

“Unfortunately not a lot of fight news,” Whittaker told Fox Sports Australia. “I am training and preparing for things, but honestly, I heard rumors that UFC is coming to Sydney early next year. I know I've been saying I want to fight in Sydney and fight at home for a long time so, here we are. I'm going to try and reserve myself, save myself, prepare for the best, and hopefully get in there.”

That’s the target: Sydney, early next year, light heavyweight.

The opponent? Whittaker already has a name – and a willing one.

Jan Blachowicz, the former UFC light heavyweight champion, answered Whittaker’s earlier callout and, as far as the Australian is concerned, that offer still stands. The Polish veteran is coming off a first-round TKO defeat to Navajo Stirling at UFC Fight Night 283 in August, but remains one of the division’s most respected names.

“He's the only one who hit back, and he's happy for that fight,” Whittaker said of Blachowicz. “He's happy for that fight, I'm happy for that fight, and that's where we're at. But, I'm preparing for anybody and anything. Just looking to get out there and get my hand raised one more time.”

That’s the balance for Whittaker now: a specific dream – Sydney, Blachowicz, a homecoming at 205 – wrapped in a broader mission. Keep sharpening. Stay ready. Take whoever the UFC puts in front of him.

If the promotion does return to Sydney in February and the matchup holds, the city that watched him rise could be the same city that watches him reinvent himself one more time.