Robert Whittaker Says Training Partner & UFC Middleweight Has Given Him 'Most Trouble' In A Fight Apart From Yoel Romero

Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker recently had some high praise for Jacob Malkoun. 

After suffering a major upset loss to Dricus Du Plessis last year at UFC 290, "Bobby Knuckles" got back on track this year at UFC 298. There, he got the better of Paulo Costa via unanimous decision. 

Now, Whittaker is set for another challenge, as he has recently been confirmed for a clash with Khamzat Chimaev in Saudi Arabia.

'He's A Phenomenal Fighter' - Robert Whittaker On Jacob Malkoun

During a recent edition of the MMArcade Podcast, "The Reaper" discussed his training with fellow UFC middleweight fighter Jacob Malkoun. Whittaker revealed that no one has challenged him more in training than Malkoun.

"So Jacob Malkoun is one of my main partners at the gym," Whittaker said. "Day in, day out, twice a day, we're wrestling, grappling, working together, and honestly, no one in the history of my career has given me more trouble than him. I think he's a phenomenal fighter, I think his talents- like he's really starting to find his groove now."

Whittaker went on to further praise Malkoun, suggesting none of his opponents bar one have given him as much trouble. That one exception is unsurprisingly Yoel Romero.

The Olympic silver medallist did battle with Whittaker twice. The second of those fights, back at UFC 225, saw Whittaker just barely beat Romero via split-decision after five rounds of brutal action.

"Honestly, and I've fought a lot of guys, trained with a lot of people, he's the guy that has given me the most trouble in fights," Whittaker said. "Like, in any fight, except Romero 2, that fight was silly, but apart from that, apart from that, Jacob would have to be the next hardest."