Robert Whittaker took Khamzat Chimaevwithdrawal of UFC on ABC 6 and the change to a new opponent in the main event Ikram Aliskerov everything at a fast pace.
Whittaker (25-7 MMA, 16-5 UFC) was scheduled to face Chimaev (13-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) in the main attraction of the Octagon’s debut in Saudi Arabia on Saturday at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh (ABC , ESPN, ESPN+). Chimaev became “seriously ill,” according to UFC CEO Dana White, and was replaced by Aliskerov (15-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) with nine days notice for the five-round middleweight bout.
“The change was very quick,” Whittaker told MMA Junkie on Monday. “My coach took me aside and told me the news about Khamzat and within hours my team and the UFC had agreed something and a new opponent was up to the task. It’s not disappointing as such. I consider myself lucky to some extent because the fight is still going on.
“It would have been much worse if I had done all this work, gotten here, only for the fight not to happen. That would have been a nightmare. For the fight to still happen – so grateful for the blessings and everyone involved in making the fight happen.”
Whittaker had already arrived in Dubai from Australia to complete the final week of his camp when he got the call. He already admitted that he “would never head” Aliskerov when the switch was made, but he didn’t hesitate to accept whoever the UFC decided was the best alternative.
The former UFC middleweight champion has already done some research on Aliskerov and said he is impressed with his skill set.
“I watched some fights, I watched some footage and tapes – he’s a dangerous guy,” Whittaker said. “He has a very strong skill set. He knows what he’s good at and uses it to great effect. I think the mentality behind him coming in at the last minute – everything to gain by jumping and fighting someone in the top five, nothing to lose, kind of effect – I hope he comes out really strong and aggressive and brings that level of threat.”
The clash between Whittaker, #4 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie midfield ratings, and Chimaev, ranked number 9, would have huge implications for the division. Chimaev has consistently struggled to get to the cage in recent years and has become an unreliable opponent.
Whittaker, 33, said he sympathized with Chimaev’s situation and, after his manager dismissed rumors of a possible retirement, said he would be open to rescheduling the clash in the future.
“There’s no bitter taste,” Whittaker said. “Honestly, I feel for him and wish him a speedy recovery and wish him all the best. At the end of the day, we are in an entertainment sport. I understand that we fight and we are adversaries and we see each other in that light, but outside of the octagon, outside of those 15, 25 minutes, we are just people and I wish him a speedy recovery and good health.”
With the change in circumstances, Whittaker defined that he is focused on the fight and not on what his potential path to the title would be with a victory. He is taking Aliskerov very seriously, and his status as a slight betting favorite has proven that this is the mindset he needs to maintain on fight night.
“(The title) isn’t something I focus on too much – I don’t look beyond the fight,” Whittaker said. “I understand the threat and gravity that Ikram will bring to the fight. I can’t afford to entertain thoughts beyond him. I’m just focused and focused on trying to take his head off in the 25 minutes I have.
“He’s a dangerous guy and has a really good skill set. The probabilities show this. I understand the type of fight it’s going to be. Could be more difficult than Chimaev. I’m ready and loaded to do it.”
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to UFC on ABC 6.
