Former UFC champion Robert Whittaker is set to face Khamzat Chimaev in Saudi Arabia, marking the UFC’s debut in the country on June 22. Whittaker believes he will be the first true test of Chimaev’s middleweight credentials and intends to assess if the hype surrounding Chimaev matches his in-cage performance. Speaking on Demetrious Johnson’s podcast, Whittaker acknowledged Chimaev’s skills and confidence but plans to push the pace to gauge Chimaev’s ability to handle pressure.
Whittaker acknowledged Chimaev’s skills and confidence but plans to push the pace to gauge Chimaev’s ability to handle pressure. He sees Chimaev’s confidence as both a strength and a potential weakness, stating that if shaken, it could affect the outcome of the fight. Whittaker intends to exploit his speed and striking advantage while making it difficult for Chimaev to execute his wrestling game plan due to Whittaker’s control of spacing and distance.
The former champion is eagerly anticipating the fight and views it as a challenging matchup. He is determined to approach the fight with a warrior mentality, aiming to earn victory and position himself for a title shot. Whittaker sees this bout as a crucial step towards his goal of reclaiming the UFC middleweight title, emphasizing the importance of earning the victory convincingly.
Whittaker’s assessment of Chimaev’s strengths and weaknesses suggests a strategic approach to the fight. By focusing on his own advantages in speed and striking, as well as his ability to control distance, Whittaker aims to neutralize Chimaev’s wrestling prowess. His determination to earn the win indicates a high level of motivation and readiness to compete at the highest level of the sport.
Whittaker’s comments highlight the significance of the upcoming bout for both fighters. As a former champion, he is keen to prove himself against a rising talent like Chimaev and believes that a victory will propel him closer to another title shot in the highly competitive UFC middleweight division.
