Robert Whittaker believes Khamzat Chimaev wouldn’t have fared any higher than this previous weekend.
This previous Saturday, Whittaker was purported to face Chimaev in the primary occasion of UFC Saudi Arabia, till an sickness pressured Chimaev off the cardboard. And whereas Chimaev has struggled to make it to the cage lately, Whittaker says he no doubts “Borz” would make it to the battle, till he was instructed in any other case.
“Probably not, due to the situation,” Whittaker instructed Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. “I do know he’s had hassle attending to sure locations and clearly health-wise, however you may’t account for well being. Clearly the situation, I assumed, was fairly bang on for him to get there. However it’s what it’s. I’m glad he’s doing effectively. I believe he’s a lot more healthy than he was pulling out. Exterior of the octagon we’re simply individuals. I don’t need anybody getting sick.”
As a substitute of Chimaev, Ikram Aliskerov stepped in on brief discover to save lots of the occasion, however issues didn’t go effectively for him. Whittaker summarily dispatched Aliskerov, knocking him out in below two minutes for his first stoppage win since 2017. And Whittaker believes if Chimaev didn’t withdraw from the occasion, the consequence would have been the identical.
“I used to be fairly primed and prepared,” Whittaker stated. “I’m 99 p.c certain I’d have starched Khamzat as effectively. Our paths might cross someday within the division, as guys on the prime of the sport, however he dodged a bullet that evening, that’s for certain.”
After all, Chimaev doesn’t agree. Shortly after Whittaker’s win, “Borz” went on social media, telling Whittaker the 2 weren’t carried out but, and which Whittaker says merely made him chortle.
“First off I used to be like, when are you going to see me, bro?” Whittaker stated. “You may’t go into a variety of nations. [Laughs]. We’re not going to cross paths, dude. And I’m not going to be within the space. [Laughs].
“Like I stated, I’m a middleweight. If he’s a middleweight — as a result of I do know he fights at welterweight typically as effectively — if we’re each on the prime of the sport, our paths might cross. I didn’t duck ya. I didn’t not signal the contract to battle you.”
Since bursting onto the UFC in 2020, Chimaev has struggled to remain lively resulting from a mix of sickness and journey restrictions. The following probably date for a Chimaev return can be UFC 308 in October when the promotion heads to Abu Dhabi, and whereas Whittaker gained’t decide to something proper now, if the UFC needs to rebook the battle for then, “Bobby Knuckles” may be amenable.
“Doubtlessly,” Whittaker stated about an Abu Dhabi matchup. “Let’s see the way it pans out.”
