Though having two weight cuts in a two week span has not been enjoyable, Ikram Aliskerov plans to profit from an enormous alternative in his first UFC principal occasion.
With Khamzat Chimaev falling ailing and off of Saturday’s card, Aliskerov steps in on simply 9 days’ discover to face former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker within the headliner of UFC Saudi Arabia. Aliskerov was slated to satisfy Antonio Trocoli this previous weekend at UFC Vegas 93 earlier than reserving the most important struggle of his profession.
Whereas it could be a step up in competitors, Aliskerov goals to ship a message to the 185-pound division on Saturday.
“I’m not used to being the prey over there within the octagon,” Aliskerov stated through a translator at UFC Saudi Arabia media day. “I’m not used to someone searching me, so I’m going to be the one which’s going to shock him, and unpleasantly shock him about being a hunter, myself. And I’m going to verify I do no matter I must do to complete the struggle.”
Aliskerov enters the bout on a seven-fight win streak, together with two first-round knockout victories to start his UFC tenure towards Phil Hawes and Warlley Alves. Aliskerov’s lone professional loss in 16 outings got here towards Chimaev at a Courageous Fight Federation occasion in 2019.
The 31-year-old was a day away from weighing in for his bout with Trocoli earlier than getting the decision to struggle Whittaker. Now, Aliskerov has needed to undergo the method yet again.
“Yeah, it’s not a enjoyable course of to say the least,” Aliskerov defined. “I used to be nearly on weight again then. I used to be consuming water, just about made the burden, then I ended consuming water, after which once I discovered in regards to the struggle [with Whittaker], I needed to cease the method, sort of maintain the burden that I used to be at at that time for a few days, then come [to Saudi Arabia], begin [drinking] water once more, after which cease once more as a result of this is similar weight we stopped finally week.
“So it’s not a enjoyable course of, however that is sport. That is what we do. That is one thing now we have to be prepared for.”
