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. Let's see what he's got at this later stage in the division."

Whittaker's move up to light heavyweight seems well-timed on paper. The division is in a state of chaos with new champion Carlos Ulberg sidelined with an ACL tear, and most of the other remaining contenders either unavailable, injured or coming off key losses.

Beating Rountree Jr. would give Whittaker opportunity to make a big splash, and Fitzgerald wants to see that litmus test.

"It injects some life into the division," Fitzgerald said. "Ulberg has the knee injury now and we'll see what's going to happen at 205, but the fact Rountree is a former middleweight, as well (makes it a good fight)."

To hear more from Fitzgerald, check out his complete appearance on "The Bohnfire" podcast with MMA Junkie senior reporter Mike Bohn above.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC commentator: Throw Robert Whittaker in deep end for 205 debut