Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker is gearing up for a shot at redemption, as he prepares to step back into the Octagon for a high-stakes showdown. UFC CEO Dana White recently unveiled a blockbuster lineup for the promotion’s inaugural event in Saudi Arabia, headlined by a pivotal middleweight clash between Whittaker and rising star Khamzat Chimaev.
In a recent appearance on the MMArcade podcast, Whittaker expressed his excitement for the upcoming bout, emphasizing its significance as a title eliminator match. “It’s going to be a contender fight, five-round main event,” Whittaker stated. “Every hard fight pushes my skills to the next level, and this gets me in line to get the belt back. That’s the goal, isn’t it?”
Whittaker’s journey back to title contention has been marked by notable victories and setbacks. Following his loss to Israel Adesanya in 2019 and a subsequent rematch defeat in 2022, Whittaker rebounded with a decisive win over Paulo Costa at UFC 298. The victory reignited Whittaker’s championship aspirations and propelled him back into the spotlight.
Reflecting on the unexpected opportunity to headline the Saudi Arabia event, Whittaker expressed gratitude for the chance to further his career. “I would have assumed UFC was going to hold me in the ranks for the Australia card in August, which is kind of what I was preparing for,” Whittaker revealed. “But I’m happy UFC have given me this boon. This is my path to the title.”
Whittaker’s opponent, Khamzat Chimaev, has also been making waves in the UFC with an impressive win streak. Despite acknowledging Chimaev’s formidable skills, Whittaker remains undaunted, emphasizing his readiness to make history in Saudi Arabia. “I understand he’s a hard fighter,” Whittaker acknowledged. “But honestly, he likes to play the villain against his opponents, but he’s an honourable fighter.”
With both fighters poised for battle, UFC Saudi Arabia promises to be a landmark event in the promotion’s history. Scheduled for June 22 at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, fight fans can anticipate an electrifying showdown between two elite competitors vying for supremacy in the middleweight division.
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