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Quickly taps in Abu Dhabi co-main event
Whittaker lost to Khamzat Chimaev via submission (face crank) at 3:34 of Round 1 at UFC 308 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
Whittaker told his team after the fight that the face crank dislocated his jaw. It makes sense, because he tapped out immediately, not even giving Chimaev time to try to clamp on the rear-naked choke he was undoubtedly looking for. Rob was expected to have both a cardio and striking edge in this fight. Both may have very well been true, but we'll never know. He was taken down by Chimaev just seconds into the fight. Whittaker worked his way back to his feet, only to be throw to the mat once again. He had no opportunity to generate any offense of his own with Khamzat all over him. Whittaker now finds himself in a very difficult position. He'll be 34 years of age in late-December and is 3-3 in his past six bouts. Rob still has plenty of gas left in the tank, and he isn't going anywhere, but he's lightyears from true title contention at the moment.
Whittaker told his team after the fight that the face crank dislocated his jaw. It makes sense, because he tapped out immediately, not even giving Chimaev time to try to clamp on the rear-naked choke he was undoubtedly looking for. Rob was expected to have both a cardio and striking edge in this fight. Both may have very well been true, but we'll never know. He was taken down by Chimaev just seconds into the fight. Whittaker worked his way back to his feet, only to be throw to the mat once again. He had no opportunity to generate any offense of his own with Khamzat all over him. Whittaker now finds himself in a very difficult position. He'll be 34 years of age in late-December and is 3-3 in his past six bouts. Rob still has plenty of gas left in the tank, and he isn't going anywhere, but he's lightyears from true title contention at the moment.
Set to face Chimaev
Whittaker will take on Khamzat Chimaev in a middleweight showdown at UFC 308 on Oct. 26, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Whittaker will be looking to hand Khamzat his first UFC loss. At 7-0-0, he's made short work of his competition, most recently besting Kamaru Usman via majority decision. As for Whittaker, he'll look to make it three wins in a row, and is coming off a big-time win over Ikram Aliskerov in a main event victory. This bout was originally scheduled for June 22 and was cancelled, but now the fighters will finally get the chance to face off in the octagon.
Whittaker will be looking to hand Khamzat his first UFC loss. At 7-0-0, he's made short work of his competition, most recently besting Kamaru Usman via majority decision. As for Whittaker, he'll look to make it three wins in a row, and is coming off a big-time win over Ikram Aliskerov in a main event victory. This bout was originally scheduled for June 22 and was cancelled, but now the fighters will finally get the chance to face off in the octagon.
Statement main event victory
Whittaker defeated Ikram Aliskerov via KO (punches) at 1:49 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
ANALYSIS
Yes, Aliskerov entered with just two UFC bouts under his belt, but he's a supremely talented opponent, and Whittaker made this look entirely too easy. Rob unloaded a right hand that left Ikram stumbling before unloading everything but the kitchen sink. Referee Marc Goddard, right on top of the action, was forced to step in less than two minutes in. Whittaker didn't appear to be handling punishment all that well his last few fights, but he never got hit here so it's difficult to tell whether or not that trend would have continued. If UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis can get by Whittaker's arch-nemesis Israel Adesanya at UFC 205 in Perth, Australia this coming August, Rob could be next in line for a shot at the championship. Whittaker was knocked out by Du Plessis when the two first met last July. In the meantime, Whittaker will add another $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus to his long list of career accolades.
Yes, Aliskerov entered with just two UFC bouts under his belt, but he's a supremely talented opponent, and Whittaker made this look entirely too easy. Rob unloaded a right hand that left Ikram stumbling before unloading everything but the kitchen sink. Referee Marc Goddard, right on top of the action, was forced to step in less than two minutes in. Whittaker didn't appear to be handling punishment all that well his last few fights, but he never got hit here so it's difficult to tell whether or not that trend would have continued. If UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis can get by Whittaker's arch-nemesis Israel Adesanya at UFC 205 in Perth, Australia this coming August, Rob could be next in line for a shot at the championship. Whittaker was knocked out by Du Plessis when the two first met last July. In the meantime, Whittaker will add another $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus to his long list of career accolades.
Fighting Aliskerov instead
Whittaker will compete against Ikram Aliskerov in a middleweight fight on June 22 in Saudi Arabia, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
UFC President Dana White said that Khamzat Chimaev will no longer fight next Sunday due to being "violently ill". As a result, Aliskerov has withdrawn from fighting Antonio Trocoli at UFC Vegas 93 to take Chimaev's place. Whitaker and his new opponent will have minimal time preparing to headline the UFC's first event in Saudi Arabia. While not an undefeated prospect and receiving a significant challenge in competition, Aliskerov has a 15-1 MMA record (2-0 in the UFC), with his lone loss being to Chimaev.
UFC President Dana White said that Khamzat Chimaev will no longer fight next Sunday due to being "violently ill". As a result, Aliskerov has withdrawn from fighting Antonio Trocoli at UFC Vegas 93 to take Chimaev's place. Whitaker and his new opponent will have minimal time preparing to headline the UFC's first event in Saudi Arabia. While not an undefeated prospect and receiving a significant challenge in competition, Aliskerov has a 15-1 MMA record (2-0 in the UFC), with his lone loss being to Chimaev.
Draws Chimaev in Saudi Arabia
Whittaker will take on Khamzat Chimaev in a middleweight matchup at the UFC event scheduled for June 22 in Saudi Arabia, according to UFC President Dana White.
ANALYSIS
Whittaker got back in the win column with a unanimous decision victory over Paulo Costa in February and will now take on Chimaev in what will presumably be a title eliminator at 185 pounds. The key for Whittaker here will be to remain upright, as he'll have the striking advantage. Chimaev will look to employ a wrestling-heavy attack to get this to the mat, but Whittaker does have a plenty respectable 82 percent takedown defense during his time with the UFC. Chimaev will be by far the toughest wrestler Whittaker has faced to date, however, so attacking on the feet early in the rounds will be vital, and takedown defense will undoubtedly be the primary focus of his camp.
Whittaker got back in the win column with a unanimous decision victory over Paulo Costa in February and will now take on Chimaev in what will presumably be a title eliminator at 185 pounds. The key for Whittaker here will be to remain upright, as he'll have the striking advantage. Chimaev will look to employ a wrestling-heavy attack to get this to the mat, but Whittaker does have a plenty respectable 82 percent takedown defense during his time with the UFC. Chimaev will be by far the toughest wrestler Whittaker has faced to date, however, so attacking on the feet early in the rounds will be vital, and takedown defense will undoubtedly be the primary focus of his camp.