Robert Whittaker isn’t underestimating Ikram Aliskerov.
UFC Saudi Arabia looks a bit different than the promotion originally planned. Unfortunately, one-half of the main event took a hit when Khamzat Chimaev fell ill, leading to Aliskerov filling in on short notice.
The Whittaker vs. Chimaev clash was billed as a No. 1 contender bout at Middleweight and would have been the undefeated 13-0 “Borz’s” first ranked challenge in the division. Instead, the former champion Whittaker now has to set back another surging hopeful title threat in Aliskerov.
“My biggest concern was making sure that the fight happened, was going through with the fight,” Whittaker said at UFC Saudi Arabia media day (h/t MMA Fighting). “My biggest concern now is beating Ikram.
“He’s very much a dangerous opponent,” he continued. “You can look at it on paper that he might be more dangerous [than Chimaev] because of how well-rounded he is, but honestly, every fight …