Robert Whittaker isn’t underestimating Ikram Aliskerov.
UFC Saudi Arabia looks a bit different than the promotion originally planned. Unfortunately, one-half of the main event took a hit when Khamzat Chimaev fell ill, leading to Aliskerov filling in on short notice.
The Whittaker vs. Chimaev clash was billed as a No. 1 contender bout at Middleweight and would have been the undefeated 13-0 “Borz’s” first ranked challenge in the division. Instead, the former champion Whittaker now has to set back another surging hopeful title threat in Aliskerov.
“My biggest concern was making sure that the fight happened, was going through with the fight,” Whittaker said at UFC Saudi Arabia media day (h/t MMA Fighting). “My biggest concern now is beating Ikram.
“He’s very much a dangerous opponent,” he continued. “You can look at it on paper that he might be more dangerous [than Chimaev] because of how well-rounded he is, but honestly, every fight brings a level of threat and a level of danger that has to be addressed.”
Aliskerov, 31, has been flawless in his 16-fight career outside of a tough knockout loss to Chimaev before each arrived in UFC. Like Whittaker was for Chimaev, this is Aliskerov’s first fight against a ranked UFC Middleweight.
As experienced as it gets, “The Reaper” isn’t overly concerned about the new main event’s short-notice nature.
“I’m not really worried about it too much, who I’m fighting, I’m going to be honest,” Whittaker said. “I’m here to fight. I was fit, I was ready, and this is how I provide for my family. Everyone knew I wanted to fight. I’m here, so I’m going to fight.”
“By this stage in the camp, all the work’s been done,” he continued. “I’m fit, I’m strong, I’m sharp, and all the skills that I worked for Chimaev, no skill is wasted, no skill is useless. A lot of it can be used in this fight, so all the work’s been done. I’m ready.”
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LIVE! Stream UFC Saudi Arabia On ESPN+
MIDDLEWEIGHT MAYHEM! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will return to KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky., on Sat., June 8, 2024, for just the second time in the promotion’s history — and the first time in more than 13 years — for a stacked “Fight Night”-themed event. In UFC Louisville’s main event, top-ranked Middleweight contenders Jared Cannonier (No. 4) and Nassourdine Imavov (No. 7) will look to get in the 185-pound title chase with a pivotal victory. In the co-feature, No. 14-seeded Light Heavyweight contender, Dominick Reyes, returns to action against Dustin Jacoby, in a fun 205-pound showdown.
Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Saudi Arabia fight card right here, starting with the ESPN/ESPN+ “Prelims” matches, which are scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. ET, then the remaining main card balance (on ABC/ESPN+) at 3 p.m. ET.
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