Robert Whittaker and Ikram Aliskerov, UFC Saudi Arabia UFC Saudi Arabia weigh-in Credit: Youtube/UFC
Robert Whittaker and Ikram Aliskerov collide in the special main event of UFC Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
The five-round middleweight bout was originally scheduled to feature former champion Whittaker against Khamzat Chimaev, but Chimaev fell ill and was replaced by Aliskerov, making his third UFC fight.
To be honest, it wasn’t expected to be much of a main event for UFC’s Saudi Arabia debut, but it’s a golden opportunity for Aliskerov to make a name for himself.
Unfortunately for Aliskerov, that wasn’t to be. Whittaker attacked early in Saturday’s main event, hurting Aliskerov badly. Smelling blood, Whittaker gave chase, landed a head kick and a flurry of punches, then knocked Ikram down with a right uppercut, the lights went out, and the fight was over in an instant.
In case you’re wondering, Robert Whittaker is still very much a threat at 185 pounds and isn’t ready to make way for the younger generation in the division just yet. With this win, he could turn around in the coming months and serve as the backup for the title fight between Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya in his native Australia, an opportunity “The Grim Reaper” said he would welcome.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Robert Whittaker defeats Ikram Aliskerov by KO, Round 1, 1 minute, 49 seconds
