UFC commentator: Throw Robert Whittaker in deep end for 205 debut

Robert Whittaker is moving to the light heavyweight division for his next fight, and UFC play-by-play man Brendan Fitzgerald would like to see him get a stern test. Whittaker won "The Ultimate Fighter" reality series at welterweight in December 2012. He moved up to middleweight after six octagon appearances and went on to become champion and a perennial contender for more than a decade.

At 35, Whittaker (26-9 MMA, 17-7 UFC) is set to enter a new stage in his career this year when he moves up to 205 pounds for the first time. His debut opponent and date have not been announced, but when thinking of potential matchups, Fitzgerald would most like to see him share the cage with former title challenger Khalil Rountree Jr. (14-7 MMA, 10-7 UFC) "The name I circled is Khalil Rountree Jr.

at No. 5," Fitzgerald told MMA Junkie. "Is that too high on his entry into the division?

But in terms of the matchup, former middleweight Khalil Rountree who has had success at 205, and Robert Whittaker is a big name still and a former champ – part of carrying the market for us in Australia for a while and in the name of International Fight Week, let's go Australia on the card against Khalil Rountree Jr. "Or just someone in the mid-range name at 205. Let's give Whittaker his credit for all he's done and the great fights he's had and he's the former champ moving up.