MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom goes in depth to interrupt down the most important fights within the UFC. Immediately, he takes a better have a look at the UFC on ABC 6 essential occasion between former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker and short-notice opponent Ikram Aliskerov.
Robert Whittaker UFC on ABC 6 preview
Staple information:
- Report: 25-7 MMA, 16-5 UFC
- Top: 6’0″ Age: 33 Weight: 185 lbs. Attain: 73.5″
- Final battle: Choice win over Paul Costa (Feb. 17, 2024)
- Camp: Gracie Jiu-jitsu Smeaton Grange (Australia)
- Stance/putting type: Orthodox/kickboxing
- Threat administration: Good
Supplemental information:
+ Former UFC middleweight champion
+ Hapkido and karate black belt
+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt
+ Australian Nationwide Wrestling Championships gold medal
+ 10 knockout victories
+ 5 submission wins
+ 6 first-round finishes
+ KO energy
+ Constant tempo and strain
+ Good footwork and distance administration
^ Fast blitzes and misleading tempo adjustments
+ Correct jabs and hooks
^ Coming ahead or off the counter
+ Wonderful wrestling potential
^ Defensively and offensively
+ Improved general grappling
Ikram Aliskerov UFC on ABC 6 preview
Staple information:
- Report: 15-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC
- Top: 6’0″ Age: 31 Weight: 185 lbs. Attain: 76″
- Final battle: TKO win over Warlley Alves (Oct. 21, 2023)
- Camp: KHK MMA Crew (Russia)
- Stance/putting type: Orthodox/kickboxing
- Threat administration: Good
Supplemental information:
+ Fight sambo world champion
+ A number of sambo titles (European and world)
+ Novice MMA accolades
+ 6 knockout victories
+ 5 submission wins
+ 7 first-round finishes
+ KO energy
^ Naturally heavy arms
+ Correct jab
+ Strong sense of vary
+ Sturdy contained in the clinch
^ Competent takedown chains
+ Wonderful wrestling potential
^ Defensively and offensively
+ Good transitional grappler
^ Harmful with kimuras
Robert Whittaker vs. Ikram Aliskerov focal point: Jabbers, not jobbers
The principle occasion in Saudi Arabia options an impromptu middleweight matchup between two proficient fighters who aren’t afraid to make use of their jab.
Coming from a conventional martial arts base, Robert Whittaker has developed into one of the crucial distinctive putting stylists at 185 kilos.
Utilizing a mixture of pace, accuracy and a fluid financial system of motion, the Australian will deceptively blitz off totally different angles. Like many karate-based strikers, Whittaker will feint or present a sure pace to attract his opponent right into a false sense of safety, solely to disrupt the perceived timing with off-beat strikes.
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As we’ve seen in a number of fights, Whittaker usually will assert himself by way of rear-legged entrance kicks that he makes use of to launch himself into variations of left hooks and shifting overhand photographs. The previous champ additionally has no subject relating to sticking to his fundamentals, constructing offense off of misleading jabs and feints.
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That mentioned, Whittaker just isn’t past being taxed for his generally low-handed strategy and can must be on his finest conduct reverse a competitor like Ikram Aliskerov.
Regardless of coming from an in depth sambo background, Aliskerov has steadily been enhancing his putting for these paying consideration.
Neatly prioritizing his lead hand, Aliskerov plies a deceptively efficient jab at vary. The 31-year-old will sometimes play off his jab, providing up change-ups within the type of hook-cross combos.
When feeling in Stride, Aliskerov will connect kicks or knees to his combos, working significantly effectively off his lead facet. Though Aliskerov’s choices off of the lead facet ought to serve him effectively on paper, the Dagestani’s A-game is arguably on the bottom.
Robert Whittaker vs. Ikram Aliskerov breakdown: Potential grappling threats
Contemplating Aliskerov’s grappling prowess, nobody ought to be shocked if the Dagestani fighter makes an attempt to take this occasion to the ground this Saturday.
A world and European champion in sambo, Aliskerov isn’t any stranger to closed-quarter fight. Like many high-level operators out of Dagestan, Aliskerov does his finest work from the clinch – a spot the place he can chain to and from takedown makes an attempt.
Whether or not Aliserkov is working from bodylock positions or single-leg variations, the 12-year professional doesn’t appear to be brief on concepts on this area. Aliskerov additionally retains strong reactive takedown photographs in his again pocket, which may turn out to be useful towards a blitzing “Bobby Knuckles.”
That mentioned, Whittaker has confirmed to be far more troublesome to floor than many presumed.
Other than the truth that Whittaker’s footwork makes it troublesome for his opponents to arrange their photographs, the Australian additionally reveals the small technical intricacies that make him laborious to floor or maintain down when grasped.
For instance, whereas most fighters are reliant on extra conventional defenses reminiscent of sprawls or battles for under-hooks, they sometimes find yourself shedding out to superior grapplers since these defensive techniques contain a dedication to contact (which in flip begets extra grappling).
Whereas Whittaker, although able to utilizing these defenses, doesn’t depend on them. As a substitute, “The Reaper” prefers to move off takedown makes an attempt on the move.
Already possessing a powerful base and steadiness, Whittaker’s hip and grip consciousness even have improved by way of the years.
Not solely does Whittaker make the most of grip breaks and wrist controls, however the 33-year-old can also be disciplined about constantly circling out to his opponent’s weak facet, which helps dissuade re-shots and takedown chain changes from his foes. Even Romero had problem greedy or chaining off his preliminary makes an attempt as a consequence of Whittaker’s persistence to battle arms.
What’s much more spectacular is Whittaker’s potential to go from thwarting takedown makes an attempt to putting off the breaks, one thing that can even probably maintain Aliskerov sincere in exchanges with him.
Ikram Aliskerov’s Funky Kimura Strats pic.twitter.com/lSIOVlAIOI
— Jack Slack (@JackSlackMMA) June 12, 2024
Nonetheless, if Whittaker does discover himself on the underside on this battle, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt will must be additional cautious along with his propensity to search for underhook getups given Aliskerov’s knack for locating kimuras.
Robert Whittaker vs. Ikram Aliskerov odds
Regardless of the oddsmakers opening this battle at a decide’em, public cash has come within the former champion, itemizing Whittaker -154 and Aliskerov +120 by way of FanDuel.
Robert Whittaker vs. Ikram Aliskerov prediction, decide
Contemplating that Whittaker is a way more confirmed product on paper, I can fully perceive the early enthusiasm for bettors backing the Australian on this spot.
That mentioned, I stand by my preliminary feeling that Aliskerov is a deceptively trickier job than Whittaker’s authentic opponent – Khamzat Chimaev – from a stylistic perspective.
Don’t get me incorrect: Chimaev provides a hell of an early storm to climate on paper, however Whittaker has historically accomplished effectively towards aggressive, grapple-heavy fighters.
Aliskerov, nonetheless, provides a a lot totally different ask on condition that the Dagestani fighter is extra essentially sound than Chimaev and seems to have the ability to battle at a strong tempo for 3 rounds. Furthermore, Aliskerov is among the many handful of first rate jabber within the division, which may pay some potential dividends contemplating the success Costa had when jabbing in Whittaker’s final battle.
However between Aliskerov’s inexperience at this stage and the truth that final week’s shakeup impacts him extra with the a number of weight cuts compounded with journey at hand, I can’t assist however facet with the pace and savvy of Whittaker.
I consider that Whittaker can have success along with his kicks at distance and timing change-ups in shut, doubtlessly producing his first end since 2017. The decide is Whittaker by knockout in Spherical 3.
Robert Whittaker vs. Ikram Aliskerov begin time, the place to look at
As the principle occasion, Whittaker and Aliskerov are anticipated to make their walks to the octagon at roughly 5 p.m. ET. The battle broadcasts reside on ABC and streams on ESPN+.
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC on ABC 6.
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