Robert Whittaker will take on Khamzat Chimaev in a significant middleweight bout at UFC 308. With less than a week to the event, the hype around the bout is incredible. The winner will likely receive a future shot at the title. Going into the mega clash, Whittaker believes he has the weapons to put on a dominating performance and beat the ‘Borz.’
Whittaker is currently on a two-fight win streak, with his last victory coming against Ikram Aliserov via KO. The fighter is extremely confident and was recently seen sparring with boxing champion Jai Opetaia. In a recent interview, Whittaker revealed that he will push Chimaev to his limits and ultimately overwhelm his opponent.
I’m going to go in there and hunt him down, I’m gonna take the fight to him. I don’t think he’ll be able to stand up to that. I don’t think my wrestling defense and the caliber of my striking is going to give him an easy night. I can also fight from the first second through to the 25th minute. I hope he’s ready because I am.
Robert Whittaker via Kevin Iole’s YouTube channel
Whittaker has been focusing on improving his ground game, having gone through two training camps in preparation to face Chimaev. The first fight was called off earlier this year after Chimaev was hospitalized. Whittaker believes he can take advantage of Chimaev’s lack of cardio, especially in the five-round co-main event of UFC 308. On the other hand, in the latest training videos, Chimaev is looking in top shape.
🗣️Robert Whittaker: “I’m going to go in there and hunt [Khamzat] down, I’m gonna take the fight to him. I don’t think he’ll be able to stand up to that. I don’t think my wrestling defense and the caliber of my striking is going to give him an easy night.
I can also fight from… pic.twitter.com/rah1j7G7dP
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 19, 2024
Top lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan recently claimed that Chimaev is at 100 percent and will run through Whittaker with ease. Similarly, the newly crowned Belal Muhammad also believes that Chimaev’s wrestling will be too much for Whittaker. However, before fighting Chimaev, the Aussie fighter had to go through some tough choices.
Robert Whittaker makes a hilarious choice between top middleweights
UFC CEO Dana White doesn’t think the winner of Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev will get the next title shot. However, it will definitely take one of them closer to the opportunity. Whitaker aims to regain his lost middleweight title for the second time. His last run ended by Dricus Du Plessis, but now the Australian is determined to finish the job successfully.
Before the fight, Whittaker recently participated in a fun game of this and that as a promotional collaboration. One of the questions was about choosing between painting nails like Israel Adesanya or kissing his coach like Du Plessis. Whittaker hilariously chose the latter and for a rather interesting reason.
Probably kiss my coach. Because like it’s an act of intimacy but it’s not romantic intimacy just closeness. Whereas painting my nails is a choice, makes me feel funny inside. I’m not painting my nails, I’ll kiss a grown man.
Robert Whittaker via Full Violence
Would Robert Whittaker rather paint his nails like Izzy or kiss his coach like DDP? Bobby answers 💀 pic.twitter.com/TFAsCHrOlw
— Full Violence ™ (@Full_Violence) October 18, 2024
Other than the co-main event between Whittaker and Chimaev, the whole card of UFC 308 is stacked. The main event title fight between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway has kept the fans on their toes. In a fight card like this, Whittaker can leave a lasting impression on fans with a win against Chimaev.
