Regardless of lacking out on a conflict with the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev at UFC Saudi Arabia over the course of the weekend, former champion, Robert Whittaker remains to be open to the opportunity of taking up the Chechen-born star – following his personal blistering end victory in Riyadh.
Whittaker, the present quantity three ranked contender on the middleweight restrict, headlined the promotion’s first outing in Saudi Arabia over the course of the weekend – handing over a formidable first spherical win over short-notice substitute, Ikram Aliskerov.
Handing the Dagestani striker his first loss in seven fights, Whittaker felled the Contender Sequence product with a formidable uppercut shot, touchdown a blistering knockout victory – and his first stoppage win since a 2017 knockout of perennial contender, Jacare Souza.
Receiving a stark warning from Chimaev – who was reportedly pressured from UFC Saudi Arabia by a “violent” sickness – within the fast aftermath of his win, Whittaker was warned that the duo nonetheless had enterprise contained in the Octagon.
Robert Whittaker open to Khamzat Chimaev battle
And welcoming the prospect to settle their variations sooner or later regardless of their cancelled showdown, Whittaker, who has additionally been linked with serving as a backup fighter to August’s middleweight title battle between previous opponents, Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 – stays open to dealing with Chimaev.
“Don’t bounce me as quickly as I end a battle,” Robert Whittaker joked to assembled media after his UFC Saudi Arabia triumph. “I don’t need individuals to do this – I say that. However I most likely did that a couple of times as nicely. Let me have this one for just a little bit, alright? We are able to settle the rating one other day.”
In addition to a possible function as backup fighter at UFC 305, Whittaker has been urged to pursue a definitive title-eliminator in opposition to fellow former champion, Sean Strickland on the identical card in Perth later this summer time.
Who do you assume wins in a possible battle: Robert Whittaker or Khamzat Chimaev?