Kamaru Usman believes Khamzat Chimaev will beat Robert Whittaker at UFC 308.
Chimaev and Whittaker will clash in a high-level middleweight bout on Saturday in the co-main event of UFC 308 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Chimaev opened as the betting favorite, but many consider it a pick match.
Usman, who previously shared the Octagon with Chimaev, preferred the Chechen-born Swede over Whittaker. Whittaker and Chimaev were originally scheduled to meet at UFC Saudi Arabia in June, but “Bolts” was forced to withdraw due to illness. Whittaker earned a first-round finish by defeating high-profile debutant Ikram Ariskerov. The only loss in Ariskerov’s career was against Chimaev on the regional circuit. Coach Usman acknowledged Whittaker’s elite skill set, but the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ feels Chimaev just has the talent. Whittaker boasts strong anti-grappling ability at middleweight, but Usman believes Chimaev can impose his wrestling on “Bobby Knuckles.”
On a recent episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast, Henry Cejudo named Whittaker as a possible finisher for Chimaev. However, Usman disagreed and compared the former two-division UFC champion’s perspective to that of the average fan.
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“I don’t think you’re being too harsh. I think a lot of casual fans feel the same way you do,” Usman said. “And Robert Whittaker is a guy who can grapple, he can ungraply, he can put together combinations that can get him out of there. I think Khamzat Chimaev is special. If he I think if he can get his hands on you and drag you to the ground, he might impose his will there and get the finish…Let me be quick…I love Robert Whittaker I think Robert Whittaker is very talented, especially when it comes to him coming out and disposing of Ikram. But if I had to choose, I would choose Khamzat Chimaev.
Usman and Chimaev met in a middleweight bout at UFC 294 in October 2023, with Chimaev debuting at 185 pounds. Chimaev earned a hard-earned majority decision victory over the former welterweight champion, but has since been dealing with lingering health issues. Usman has also not fought since then and is currently at a crossroads in his career after a three-fight slump, including two title losses.
Meanwhile, Whittaker bounced back from a TKO loss to reigning champion Drikas du Plessis with a winning streak in top-level competition.
