The summer is shaping up to be one for the ages with innumerable blockbuster fights lined up by the UFC. Owing to their partnership with Saudi Arabia and Riyadh Season, the promotion will make it’s very first trip to the land, with Khamzat Chimaev and Robert Whittaker headlining the show. That said, the fighters are seemingly locked in and ramping up their preparations for the same.
For those unaware, UFC President Dana White previously revealed an absolutely stacked fight night card for the promotion’s first visit to Saudi Arabia. Set to be the first of many events, which will eventually scale up into full-blown PPVs, the UFC intends to impress their new partners with a blockbuster offering. For such a massive occasion, it was only right that middleweight top dogs Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev be involved.
Our #UFCSaudiArabia card is starting to come together 👊
It will be nothing short of ✨spectacular✨#RiyadhCalendar | @RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/KQ0HwrYCsc
— UFC (@ufc) March 28, 2024
Whilst the rest of the card features some top fighters across various divisions, the main event between Whittaker and Chimaev has been a massive talking point. With #1 contender status on the line, the fight will yield the next challenger to whoever holds the belt after Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya’s much-awaited matchup finally materializes.
Khamzat Chimaev’s photoshopped physique fools the MMA community
Initially, the fight announcement of Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev drew a lot of traction as it was part of a summer that will see the lightweight title up for grabs at UFC 302, followed by the return of Conor McGregor at UFC 303. That, along with innumerable lowkey bangers scattered throughout, the fans are definitely eating good all throughout June and July.
Whilst all the focus has been on UFC 302 fight week, an image of Khamzat Chimaev briefly managed to go viral on social media. In what has since been debunked to be a photoshopped image of the middleweight contender, Chimaev appeared to be an absolutely ripped version of himself, seeming as though he weighed upwards of 200 lbs. Naturally, a lot of fans were quick to jump the gun and declare how little hope Robert Whittaker has.
Smh it was Photoshopped 🤦♂️ https://t.co/Uscwgakfwg pic.twitter.com/OoNVHQfM7Q
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) May 28, 2024
However, as is the case often, the image was soon debunked and the original photograph of Chimaev from an MMA gym in Dubai, seemed to be much more closer to reality. Naturally, size and strength will play a massive factor in this upcoming fight, and with Khamzat’s size, many see him able to impose his will against the mainstay, Robert Whittaker.
Robert Whittaker believes that he is fully prepared for the wrestling exchanges against Khamzat Chimaev
For the most part, many have gone for Khamzat Chimaev to win this fight, right off the rip. Despite questionable performances from both athletes in their last outing, many are expecting a razor thin fight. Whilst Robert Whittaker overcame early adversity against Paulo Costa at UFC 298, Chhimaev edged past a Kamaru Usman who was fighting above his weight class and on short notice.
Previous results aside, many believe that Chimaev’s size and wrestling prowess give him an edge in this fight. Having cut through unranked middleweights and then the welterweight division, Khamzat’s strengths are no surprise to any at this point. At the same time, owing to the loss to now champion Dricus du Plessis, Whittaker has seen his stock take a plummeting dive.
Ahead of this one, Whittaker believes that he can well handle whatever Khamzat Chimaev has to offer with his wrestling:
“I am ready for the wrestling exchanges, I’m ready for the scrambling…
It’s a 5-round fight so I’m sure his pacing’s gotta be a little different, otherwise it’s gonna be an early night for him.”
In the past, we’ve seen Whittaker showcase his brilliant takedown defense against Yoel Romero. That said, Khamzat Chimaev is a different beast entirely and the preparation will need to be absolutely top-notch for this one. With ‘The Reaper’ believing that he has the striking and speed advantage, it will be an interesting fight to watch, wherever it may go.