Robert Whittaker – Khamzat Chimaev Off, Then Again On As UFC 308 Co-Important Occasion Combat

In a single day, eagle-eyed followers seen an anticipated UFC 308 title eliminator between former champion, Robert Whittaker and the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev was off because the slated co-main occasion in Abu Dhabi, UAE — earlier than it was instantly redrafted because the night time’s penultimate outing.

Whittaker, a former undisputed middleweight champion, most not too long ago landed a powerful first spherical win over short-notice substitute, Ikram Aliskerov in Saudi Arabia — ending the Russian with a surprising knockout victory within the promotion’s first outing in Riyadh.

As for Chechen-born challenger, Khamzat Chimaev, the unbeaten contender co-headlined UFC 294 again in October of final yr towards former undisputed welterweight champion and pound-for-pound primary, Kamaru Usman in a controversial majority determination win in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

And booked as soon as extra in a rescheduled pairing following their failed June matchup, Whittaker and Chimaev had been introduced because the co-main occasion of UFC 308 on the finish of October, earlier than a headliner of undisputed featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria, and symbolic BMF titleholder, Max Holloway.

Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev stays as UFC 308 co-main occasion struggle in October

Nevertheless, final night time, followers speculated that Chimaev was out of his matchup with the Auckland-born ex-champion as soon as extra — with a heavyweight rematch between former interim champion, Ciryl Gane and Russian striker, Alexander Volkov drafted right into a co-headlining conflict.

Quickly thereafter, after an obvious administrative error, the promotion confirmed that Whittaker’s title-eliminator towards Chimaev was nonetheless on — with the bout remaining because the night time’s present co-headliner.