In a match with monumental implications in the middleweight title picture, former champion Robert Whittaker faced the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev in the UFC 308 co-main event on Saturday. The two were previously scheduled to clash in the UFC on ABC 6 fight card back in June, but Chimaev was forced out of the fight due to illness.
Whittaker entered the fight coming off back-to-back wins including earning a ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus for his knockout win over Ikram Aliskerov in his last outing. It had been a year since Chimaev stepped inside the octagon.
Whittaker opened the fight with a leg kick. Chimaev quickly drove forward looking to get the fight to the ground. He secured a takedown and worked to take Whittaker’s back. Chimaev delivered knees to the legs of Whittaker. Whittaker remained calm and scrambled but was unable to get to his feet. Chimaev kept the pressure on and worked to take Whittaker’s back again. Chimaev looked to apply a rear-naked choke but Whittaker defended the submission attempt. Chimaev delivered right hands before got back to the choke.
Chimaev got his arm under Whittaker’s chin and Whittaker quickly tapped out. Chimaev remained undefeated and erased any doubt of whether he’s ready to a title fight.