A middleweight conflict between former champion Robert Whittaker and rising prospect Ikram Aliskerov headlined the UFC’s first occasion in Saudi Arabia.
Whittaker was initially slated to face Eleventh-ranked Khamzat Chimaev within the headlining bout however Chimaev was compelled to withdrawal as a result of sickness. Whittaker entered the combat coming off a choice win over Paulo Costa at UFC 298 in February. Aliskerov was using a seven-fight successful streak together with his solely profession loss coming to Chimaev.
The 2 touched gloves and Aliskerov got here up quick on a entrance kick. Whittaker pressed ahead with a jab. Whittaker landed a leg kick however Aliskerov countered with a proper hand. Whittaker related together with his jab and Aliskerov reacted with a leg kick. Whittaker related with a proper hand that wobbled Aliskerov. He barely missed with a head kick. A uppercut dropped the Dagestan fighter. A couple of left fingers ended the combat forcing referee Marc Goddard to cease the combat. The official time of the end was 1:49 of the primary spherical.
“I instructed you. I instructed everyone. I am the boogeyman. I am the very best on this planet and I am probably the most harmful matchup for anybody within the division,” Whittaker mentioned in his post-fight interview. “I am probably the most harmful middleweight on this planet. I am going to take a combat anyplace, anytime, and I proved it tonight. I am going to show it once more. I am going to combat anybody.”
