Final Combating Championship (UFC) is simply someday away from the upcoming UFC Saudi Arabia blended martial arts (MMA) occasion, which is ready to go down tomorrow night time (Sat., June 22, 2024) on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN+ from inside Kingdom Enviornment in Riyadh, that includes a middleweight essential occasion between former 185-pound champion Robert Whittaker and once-beaten division prospect Ikram Aliskerov, a five-round headliner with main title implications for late 2024 and past.
Earlier than we dive into the primary and co-main occasion, which incorporates the 265-pound scrap between heavyweight veterans Sergei Pavlovich and Alexander Volkov, get all the newest “Whittaker vs. Aliskerov” odds and betting props courtesy of DraftKings proper right here. For UFC Saudi Arabia dwell outcomes and play-by-play click on right here.
185 lbs.: Robert Whittaker vs. Ikram Aliskerov
Robert “The Reaper” Whittaker
Document: 25-7 | Age: 33 | Betting line: -155Wins: 9 KO/TKO, 5 SUB, 11 DEC | Losses: 3 KO/TKO, 1 SUB, 3 DECHeight: 6’0“ | Attain: 73” | Stance: OrthodoxSignificant Strikes Landed Per Minute: 4.57 | Putting accuracy: 42percentStrikes Absorbed Per Minute: 3.45 | Putting Protection: 59percentTakedown Common: 0.81 (38% accuracy) | Takedown Protection: 82percentCurrent Rating: No. 3 | Final battle: Unanimous determination win over Paulo Costa
Ikram Aliskerov
Document: 15-1 | Age: 31 | Betting line: +130Wins: 6 KO/TKO, 5 SUB, 4 DEC | Losses: 1 KO/TKO, 0 SUB, 0 DECHeight: 6’0“ | Attain: 76” | Stance: SouthpawSignificant Strikes Landed Per Minute: 8.24 | Putting accuracy: 65percentStrikes Absorbed Per Minute: 7.15 | Putting Protection: 36percentTakedown Common: 2.33 (33% accuracy) | Takedown Protection: 0percentCurrent Rating: Unranked | Final battle: Technical knockout win over Warlley Alves
Former UFC middleweight titleholder, Robert Whittaker, has solely misplaced to 2 opponents within the 185-pound weight class — each of them champions. “The Reaper” dropped a pair of bouts to Israel Adesanya (UFC 243, UFC 271) and one battle to Dricus Du Plessis (290), who went on to seize the crown by defeating Sean Strickland at UFC 297. Whittaker’s rebound win over Paulo Costa at UFC 298 proved the Aussie will not be over the hill and was merely outgunned by “Stillknocks,” or maybe unprepared for the South African’s bulldozer offense, which stays bowling-shoe ugly (however supremely efficient). I don’t suppose we must always count on something completely different from Whittaker within the UFC Saudi Arabia essential occasion, at the very least when it comes to execution, so look for lots of conventional boxing to incorporate fancy footwork and putting from a wide range of angles. His success on this battle, not surprisingly, will all depend upon his takedown protection, which to this point stays a few of the finest within the division.
“He’s very a lot a harmful opponent,” Whittaker stated on the UFC Saudi Arabia media day. “You may take a look at it on paper that he is likely to be extra harmful [than Chimaev] due to how well-rounded he’s, however actually, each battle brings a degree of risk and a degree of hazard that must be addressed. By this stage within the camp, all of the work’s been accomplished. I’m match, I’m robust, I’m sharp, and all the abilities that I labored for Chimaev, no talent is wasted, no talent is ineffective. Plenty of it may be used on this battle, so all of the work’s been accomplished. I’m prepared.”
Ikram Aliskerov steps in for the ailing Khamzat Chimaev on tremendous brief discover however was already ending up camp for UFC Vegas 93 when he acquired the decision, so it’s not like he was sitting on the sofa consuming potato chips. My one concern about getting rebooked, particularly the timing through which the switcheroo happened, is Aliskerov’s weight minimize. He was already on the tail finish of his minimize when matchmakers pulled him from the “Sin Metropolis” lineup. Which means the Russian bruiser needed to rehydrate but in addition maintain his weight for one more week and put himself by means of one other spherical of dehydration. There have been arguments {that a} related circumstance (by his personal doing) could have contributed to Tony Ferguson’s downfall in opposition to Justin Gaethje at UFC 249, so I do imagine it’s price noting. Exterior of that, Whittaker shall be tasked with going through a harmful up-and-comer on a seven-fight win streak, with six of these victories ending by the use of knockout or submission.
“I take into account myself to be a harder matchup as a result of I’m a High 10 fighter,” Aliskerov advised MMA Junkie. “I need to be at the very least within the High 10. The way in which I used to be talking to Ali, my supervisor, is the way in which it sounded is the UFC type of anticipated me to have this battle. They suppose I’m prepared, that I’m that degree of an opponent that I needs to be accepting this battle. I feel that’s nice. It makes me suppose that the UFC values me. They know what I’m price. They know what I’m able to, so I feel it’s proper that I’m a harder matchup.”
“The aim for me can also be the belt,” Aliskerov continued. “I do know if this battle was Khamzat it might’ve been a title eliminator battle. Nevertheless, with me, my aim nonetheless stays the identical. My aim remains to be the title. I don’t know if there’s a win in the event that they’ll supply me the title shot subsequent. However the level is I’m going to do no matter I can and no matter I have to do to get to that aim.”
Aliskerov’s lone profession loss got here in opposition to Chimaev in early 2019. If “Borz” actually is nearly as good because the hype suggests, we are able to most likely overlook that efficiency because it pertains to his potential to be elite. Sadly, we don’t have lots to go on exterior of his two Octagon appearances. Granted, they had been each spectacular wins, as was his destruction of Mario Filipe de Sousa on Dana White’s “Contender Sequence,” however the degree of competitors Aliskerov has confronted is sort of comical when in comparison with the assassin’s row that Whittaker has not solely fought, but in addition defeated. MMA isn’t any completely different than another sport and it’s simple to get intoxicated by the hype of a shiny new prospect who appears to do no incorrect. That stated, it’s time to sober up and admit that Whittaker has been to hell and again (and has the battle scars to show it). What can Aliskerov throw on the former champ that he hasn’t already seen? Until he’s utterly washed, count on “The Reaper” to stuff a number of takedowns, field from vary, and use superior cardio to show the latter half of the battle right into a veritable taking pictures gallery.
Prediction: Whittaker def. Aliskerov by determination
265 lbs.: Sergei Pavlovich vs. Alexander Volkov
Sergei Pavlovich
Document: 18-2 | Age: 32 | Betting line: -238Wins: 15 KO/TKO, 0 SUB, 3 DEC | Losses: 2 KO/TKO, 0 SUB, 0 DECHeight: 6’3“ | Attain: 84” | Stance: SouthpawSignificant Strikes Landed Per Minute: 8.21 | Putting accuracy: 48percentStrikes Absorbed Per Minute: 4.61 | Putting Protection: 55percentTakedown Common: 0.00 (0% accuracy) | Takedown Protection: 75percentCurrent Rating: No. 3 | Final battle: Knockout loss to Tom Aspinall
Alexander “Drago” Volkov
Document: 37-10 | Age: 35 | Betting line: +195Wins: 24 KO/TKO, 4 SUB, 9 DEC | Losses: 2 KO/TKO, 3 SUB, 5 DECHeight: 6’7“ | Attain: 80” | Stance: OrthodoxSignificant Strikes Landed Per Minute: 5.10 | Putting accuracy: 57percentStrikes Absorbed Per Minute: 3.00 | Putting Protection: 54percentTakedown Common: 0.49 (63% accuracy) | Takedown Protection: 73percentCurrent Rating: No. 5 | Final battle: Submission win over Tai Tuivasa
Sergei Pavlovich was one victory away from capturing the interim title, a UFC 295 co-main occasion that was swiftly assembled when reigning heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, blew out his pectoral muscle and was pressured to place his Stipe Miocic battle on maintain. Sadly, the power-punching Russian was unable to get previous 265-pound phenom Tom Aspinall, who strikes on to defend the substitute strap in a rematch in opposition to heavyweight hurter Curtis Blaydes. Sure, the identical “Razor” that acquired dulled by Pavlovich at UFC Vegas 71. To be truthful, Pavlovich lotions nearly everybody exterior of Aspinall, having beforehand laid waste to fellow heavyweight bricklayers Tai Tuivasa and Derrick Lewis, amongst others. He’s acquired a ridiculous 84-inch attain and the type of knockout energy that may finish a battle at a second’s discover whereas additionally touchdown a daunting 8.21 vital strikes per minute. His wrestling is nearly nonexistent (regardless of his Greco-Roman background) and I wouldn’t count on any takedowns from Pavlovich tomorrow night time in Riyadh — this one is all about heavy leather-based whereas reestablishing his place as one of many high heavyweights on this planet.
“That loss in opposition to Aspinall was not the top for me,” Pavlovich stated through the UFC Saudi Arabia media day. “That loss isn’t going to outline me. The battle didn’t go the way in which I wished. Sh*t occurs. It received’t change the work I put into this. I have to preserve working and sharpen my expertise. My dream is to be champion. I do know this isn’t going to be simple. I at all times anticipated it to be arduous. My journey continues in opposition to Volkov.”
“After all between each battle you work one thing out, you be taught one thing new about your self,” Pavlovich advised MMA Junkie. “You sharpen and higher your self. Clearly, I feel we modified, and we acquired higher, and we improved. I’ve a battle on Saturday. We’ll see. The cage will shut. I’ve a battle to win, after which we’ll see what occurs subsequent. You may plan for one thing, however as we see proper now, plans change lots, and sometimes. We simply need to preserve profitable after which we’ll see what occurs. However the details shall be in entrance of us later.”
Alexander Volkov, who beforehand skilled with Pavlovich, was additionally completed in brief order by the unstoppable Aspinall at UFC London again in early 2022. Since then, “Drago” has rattled off three straight wins — all finishes — together with his UFC 293 stoppage over Tai Tuivasa. Volkov is the whole bundle and could be a drawback wherever the battle goes. Along with his technical boxing, the exceptionally tall Russian has underrated wrestling and sneaky submissions, which he could implement to keep away from the facility of Pavlovich. There’s not lots to interrupt down for this heavyweight co-main occasion. Whether or not or not Volkov survives all depends upon his protection. If he can stick-and-move and frustrate his opponent with well-timed takedowns, he might very simply cruise to a sweep on the judges’ scorecards. I simply suppose it’s solely a matter of time earlier than Pavlovich lands one thing of advantage, which is prone to drop and turtle “Drago,” who turns 36 in October. From there it’s educational.
Prediction: Pavlovich def. Volkov by technical knockout
MMAmania.com will ship LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow protection of your entire UFC Saudi Arabia battle card RIGHT HERE, beginning with the ESPN/ESPN+ preliminary card matchups, that are scheduled to start at 12 p.m. ET, adopted by the remaining essential card steadiness on ABC/ESPN+ at 3 p.m. ET.
To take a look at the newest and best UFC Saudi Arabia information and notes you’ll want to hit up our complete occasion archives right here, right here, and right here. For the up to date and finalized “Whittaker vs. Aliskerov” battle card and ABC/ESPN+ lineup click on right here.
