Robert Whittaker warn Khamzat Chimaev that his furious starts could cost him the fight.
Whittaker (25-7 MMA, 16-5 UFC) will look to hand Chimaev (13-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) the first loss of his career when the pair face off in the UFC on ABC 6 headliner on March 22. June, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Chimaev showed a tendency to slow down in his recent wins over Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman, but he eventually outclassed them. “Borz” will enter the first 25-minute fight of his career.
“It’s a five-round fight, so I’m sure his pace has to be a little different, otherwise it’s going to be early for him,” Whittaker said. Fox Sports Australia.
Whittaker is wary of the fact that Chimaev is not only a strong grappler, but is confident he has the advantage on the feet.
“It’s something to be aware of,” Whittaker said of Chimaev’s striking. “He has power. He has a very clean double. I am aware of this. Definitely not – I’m not underestimating it, but I can deal with it. I really think I have impressive superiority.”
Whittaker sees Burns’ loss to Chimaev at UFC 273 as a similar blueprint he could follow, but plans to showcase a more refined version.
“(Burns) took away (Chimaev’s) grappling strength and put him in danger in a lot of situations with his striking,” Whittaker said. “In my opinion, my striking is sharper and cleaner than Gilbert Burns’.
“I think my spacing makes it easier to land these shots, as well as defend takedowns. I think the result is different because I will be able to control the space in the same way I do.”
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to UFC on ABC 6.
