UFC veteran Robert Whittaker has been preparing to face Khamzat Chimaev for weeks, but a slight late opponent change has been more challenging.
The change was made after Chimaev withdrew from the fight due to a medical emergency. To replace Chimaev, UDC pulled out Ikram Aliskerov from last weekend’s UFC Vegan 93 fight so he could be ready for his faceoff with Whittaker.
Unranked Aliskerov is considered a formidable opponent as he has faced off Chimaev in the middleweight division. After a tough fight, the athlete received his first-ever defeat, but the bout was a fierce competition. Whittaker believes that Aliskerov’s skills and mentality make him a tougher opponent. In a recent sit down with MMA Junkie, Whittaker spoke to Mike Bohn about Chimaev and Aliskerov.
“He’s a dangerous guy, got a really good skillset. The betting odds display that. I understand the type of fight it’s going to be. In some ways, it could be harder than Chimaev, but I’m fit, ready and loaded to get this done…
“I watched some footage, some tape… he knows what he’s good at and he uses it to great effect. And I think the mentality behind stepping up to the plate, last minute, with everything to gain… nothing to lose, I expect him to come out really hard, aggressive and bring that scrap.”
Whittaker was eager to battle Chimaev and earn himself UFC gold, but the fighter is prepared nonethelesss to defeat any opponent set before him.
“My biggest concern was making sure the fight happened,” He said at UFC Saudi Arabia media day. “Was going through with the fight. My biggest concern now is beating Ikram.
“I’m not really worried about it too much, who I’m fighting. I’m going to be honest. I’m here to fight. 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, 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. Alot of it can be used in this fight, so all the work’s been done. I’m ready.”
Although Chimaev has an impressive record, the fighter has faced multiple health complications that have held him back from gaining a title shot at welterweight and middleweight. Despite missing his chance to face Chimaev, Whittaker is positive that a win against Aliskerov may earn him a title shot and other formidable bouts in the future.
“The only sure thing in the UFC is that winning opens doors. My focus is solely on this Saturday night, getting my hand raised, and I’ll worry about the rest afterwards.
“If Chimaev is around at the top of the game and I’m around at the top of the game, our paths will cross,” Whittaker said. I don’t have any particular opponents that I look to fight. It’s just they give me a name, and I say yes, and then we’re here.”
The battle between Whittaker and Chimaev was billed as a middleweight title eliminator to decide the future opponent for the winner of the Dricus Du Plessis vs Israel Adesanya fight, but this new development might upset things a bit.
