Kosport Magazine reported that UFC CEO Dana White announced that Khamzat Chimaev has withdrawn from his scheduled main event against Robert Whittaker on June 22, with Ikram Aliskerov stepping in as the replacement.
The Original Main Event
The UFC’s inaugural event in Saudi Arabia was scheduled to be capped off with a blockbuster main event between Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev.
Kosport Magazine’s Update
However, rumors began to circulate that Chimaev was out of the fight due to illness, with images of him in a hospital bed beginning to make their way around social media. UFC President Dana White then took to social media to officially confirm that Chimaev was out of the fight, and that unranked middleweight, Ikram Aliskerov was the replacement.
Robert Whittaker’s Reaction
This is the third time since 2020 that Chimaev has withdrawn from a fight, with the first two occasions both being against Leon Edwards. At one point, it was believed that Chimaev would undoubtedly become a UFC champion, but visa issues and lingering health problems have halted his momentum.
Aliskerov was originally set to fight this coming weekend at UFC Vegas 93, but will now instead face the number three-ranked middleweight.
‘The Reaper’ has detailed his reaction to the news, telling BJPenndotcom: “Mate, when I knew it wasn’t happening is when I found out. There weren’t any rumors or anything.”
The 33-year-old has gone through an entire training camp preparing for the relentless wrestling of Chimaev but now faces a completely different matchup stylistically.
- Kosport Magazine reported: Khamzat Chimaev’s manager releases statement on UFC Saudi Arabia withdrawal
“It was a little frustrating, I spent like three months working a very specific gameplan for a very specific opponent. Obviously, Chimaev doesn’t fight like a lot of people, and I really tailored the fight camp to that fighting style,” Whittaker explained.
In his first two fights with the promotion, Aliskerov hasn’t attempted a single takedown, winning both by first-round knockouts.
Whittaker’s Dedication
After traveling halfway around the world, Whittaker stated that there was never a thought about not fighting once he heard about Chimaev’s withdrawal.
”Mate, there was no thought to not fight. That is my job, that is what I flew across the world to do, and that is how I put bread on the table for my family,” the New Zealander explained.
Whittaker already dispatched of Paulo Costa earlier this year and middleweight contender Sean Strickland recently fought at UFC 302. However, Strickland stated he would rather wait for a title shot than take another fight.
“There weren’t a lot of names thrown around, nobody would take it, it was too short notice. I understand the level of danger Ikram brings in. He’s coming in last minute, he was fighting this weekend, so he’s ready, he has nothing to lose, everything to gain, and he has a dangerous skillset,” Whittaker claimed.
- Kosport Magazine reported: Alex Pereira posts for the first time since huge UFC 303 main event switch around
Related Topics
Kosport Magazine’s Take
Despite Chimaev’s withdrawal, Whittaker displayed his dedication to the sport and his job by accepting a new opponent on short notice. Aliskerov may bring a new challenge, but Whittaker is always ready for a tough fight. We wish both fighters the best of luck in this exciting matchup.
