Top-level athletes in a fighter’s division often do not recognize upcoming fighters well. It’s hard to keep track of every single fighter. As such, climbing the rankings ensures that the fighter will get noticed. Robert Whittaker admitted to as such recently about his new opponent Ikram Aliskerov.
Before accepting their fight, the former UFC middleweight champion recently admitted to never having heard of his new opponent, Ikram Aliskerov. Fighting someone without even knowing their style is definitely a courageous move on Whittaker’s part. It makes the bout all the more interesting as well.
I hadn’t heard of [Ikram] or seen him fight before that. Mate sometimes you gotta just take things as they come.
Robert Whittaker via NY Post Sports
Whittaker was initially set to face Khamzat Chimaev at UFC Saudi Arabia on June 22. When Chimaev withdrew, the UFC scrambled to find a replacement. Enter Aliskerov, a rising star from Russia with an undefeated UFC record. All of his octagon victories have come via finishes.
At UFC Vegas 93, Aliskerov was set to face Antonio Trocoli. However, the Saudi Arabia headliner sounded much better for the UFC brass, who decided to upgrade his fight. It is quite a jump, as Trocoli was unranked, and Whittaker belongs in the top five.
Khamzat Chimaev has been the only professional fighter to hand Aliskerov a loss, doing so in the first round via knockout. This was back when both the fighters competed in the Brave Combat Federation. Opportunity has knocked on the Dagestani fighter’s door. Whether he makes the most out of it remains to be seen.
Ikram Aliskerov has a hilarious response to being Khamzat Chimaev’s replacement
Opportunities can knock when you least expect them. This is the case of Ikram Aliskerov’s next bout. The Dagestani fighter recently found himself thrust into the spotlight as Khamzat Chimaev’s replacement. He will face former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker at UFC Saudi Arabia.
Ikram Aliskerov responds to being the UFC Saudi Arabia headliner (via www.espn.in)Ikram Aliskerov took to X to share a hilarious reaction. This was after news came out of him being promoted to the Saudi Arabia headliner. The post was dripping with self-deprecating humor. But there was conviction in his words as well. Check out what he tweeted below:
This is an opportunity of a lifetime for Aliskerov. Fighters spend years to get this kind of fight. Aliskerov is currently unranked, while Robert Whittaker ranks #3 in the middleweight division. A win over the former champion can cement him as a contender and put him within striking distance of landing a title shot.
