Robert Whitaker and Khamzat Chimaev, UFC 308 ceremonial weigh-in Credit: Youtube/UFC
Khamzat Chimaev has long wanted a title shot, but the biggest question was whether it would be at welterweight or middleweight. “The Bolts” had a chance to do just that when he took on former 185-pound champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 on Saturday.
Yes, Sean Strickland was the next contender, and the UFC seemed to have cooled its enthusiasm for Chimaev, largely due to his inactive schedule. Illness has been his biggest enemy in recent years, but an explosive finish could catapult either player to “second in line” status. There was also a very real possibility that they would surpass Strickland.
Whittaker took the lead with a low kick, and Chimaev fueled a front kick. Chimaev then drives in and explodes with a takedown, trapping Whittaker on the fence. One hook and Chimaev threatened to take the back. It was a difficult task in the tough conditions on the cage. Chimaev briefly took the lead, but could not hold on. Instead, he stayed on top of Whittaker like a wet blanket. Whittaker ended up fighting off a rear-naked choke to the back as the crowd deafened, but the former champion freed himself. What he couldn’t do in the first half round was stand up. And soon he fought off another choke and Chimaev was on his back again.
Khamzat Chimaev dominated everything early on, and then the finish came. He goes for the choke, Chimaev flattens him, and Whittaker quickly taps! The biggest victory in Chimaev’s career, complete domination of the former champion. Mr Whittaker later suggested he may have dislocated his jaw. Anyway, Khamzat received full marks for his great performance.
After the match, Chimaev thanked Whittaker for agreeing to the fight and claimed that “all the champions are running away from me.”
Official results: Khamzat Chimaev def. Robert Whittaker, submission (face crank), round 1, 3:34
