The UFC re-booked a pivotal middleweight matchup between former champion Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev recently. They were to headline UFC on ABC 6 in June, but it fell apart. Now, ‘Reaper’ meets the 185-pound boogeyman at the UFC 308 pay-per-view (PPV) event. Subsequently, Whittaker has some plans for that.
Time and again, the brass has tried to pit the unbeaten sensation Khamzat Chimaev in title contention scenarios. Although inactive for long stretches, ‘Borz’ started one of the most interesting and surging phenoms to fight at short intervals. Chimaev made an unforgettable splash in the UFC in 2020 with back-to-back bouts in 10 days. He makes waves in global athlete listings whenever he fights. However, ‘Bobby Knuckles’ is not worried about the cumbersome resume.
I’ve essentially had two camps for this guy, right? I think skill-set wise, I’m probably at the best I’ve been. I’ve been especially most prepared for Khamzat, theoretically speaking as I could be, right?
Robert Whittaker via the ‘Submission Radio’ (@SubmissionRadio) Show for SBNation Network
Robert Whittaker appeared on the ‘Submission Radio’ Show YouTube channel with host Denis Shkuratov. The Team PMA Super Martial Arts Centre Orthodox highlighted he has had two camps against the dangerous ‘Borz’ so far. Hence, it naturally provides him a tactile upper hand with the time and prepping he has had. Whittaker, 33, has also proved an all-around scrapper against veterans and fresh newcomers alike.
The former UFC middleweight kingpin has only lost thrice since moving to the 185-pound mark. Two came to Israel Adesanya while the the last one was to Dricus Du Plessis. Whittaker hasn’t regained the UFC middleweight title since 2019, but he has beaten the best in the business. Including Darren Till, Jared Cannonier, Paulo Costa, Marvin Vettori, and Ikram Aliskerov. Hence he has some clear plans set for Chimaev at UFC 308.
Robert Whittaker details plan against Khamzat Chimaev
Defeating Whittaker could be all Khamzat Chimaev needs to secure a title shot, considering how much CEO Dana White has raved about him. Despite a slow running, ‘Borz’ outpointed Kamaru Usman in his most recent bout last October. Given Usman is a former UFC pound-for-pound and arguable welterweight G.O.A.T., it’s understandable why the UFC head honcho thinks so.
Robert Whittaker on how he plans to come out on top at UFC 308 (Source: boxemag.com/X)Robert Whittaker is a former champ and has more activity and battle experience. But opening odds (per FanDuel) have him listed as a +176 underdog for UFC 308. Additionally, the Team Allstars Training Center fighter has been training out of Tiger Muay Thai (TMT) to hone his acute striking against the Aussie. ‘Reaper’ knows the danger his bursts of wrestling and explosive striking can pose in the early rounds. But he has a clear plan to neutralize Chimaev.
Yeah, definitely that high-paced start and his wrestling prowess. It’s quite simple. You know, you got to worry about how hard he’s going to push the wrestling envelope in the first few rounds. And then, like, what I’m going to do after that, after I stop the takedowns, after I get back up or whatever, and just taking the fight to him.
Robert Whittaker further said
Robert Whittaker is coming off two impressive wins in 2024. By finishing the year big by racking a name like Chimaev, he can definitely earn a title shot. Meanwhile, true to his assessment, Chimaev, 30, gassed out in his last few after exhausting his wrestle-heavy envelope in the first few rounds. While Tiger Muay Thai training can improve the striking part for later rounds, Whittaker can answer that. He has gone up against some top names with his range management. As such, this could be the matchup for ages.
