Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev will lock horns in a crucial fight at UFC 308 that promises significant implications for the middleweight title picture. The fight will serve as the co-main event fixture of the pay-per-view card on Oct. 26 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Many fighters and pundits are divided on how this clash will unfold, with Chimaev’s relentless grappling pressure seen as a potential game-changer. However, Whittaker has emphasized that the upcoming encounter isn’t just a wrestling match. He believes his overall MMA skills and fight IQ could be the deciding factor.
Former UFC welterweight title challenger Jorge Masvidal weighed in on the clash in an Instagram post by ESPN MMA. 'Gamebred' picked Whittaker to emerge victorious in the clash, writing:
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"Rob all day."
Check out Jorge Masvidal's comment below:
Whittaker, a former UFC middleweight champion, remains a perennial threat in the division, having only lost to Israel Adesanya and Dricus du Plessis since transitioning to 185 pounds in November 2014. The Australian has had a successful year, picking up a dominant win over Paulo Costa and a first-round knockout win against Ikram Aliskerov.
Chimaev, although unbeaten in his professional career, has been struggling with inconsistency due to health issues. He has only fought four times in four years, having edged past Kamaru Usman in his last fight via majority decision.
Tom Aspinall claims Robert Whittaker will be Khamzat Chimaev's biggest test so far
UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall views Robert Whittaker as Khamzat Chimaev’s toughest opponent to date ahead of their UFC 308 clash. Despite Chimaev’s unbeaten record and wrestling pedigree, Whittaker’s experience, technique, and ability to control range make him a formidable challenge.
Aspinall points out that Whittaker’s footwork and lateral movement could disrupt Chimaev’s grappling-heavy style. This fight, set to be Chimaev’s biggest test, will determine if he’s ready for a title shot.
Previewing the clash in the segment, Tom Aspinall's Fight Lab on TNT Sports, the UK MMA star said:
“Robert Whittaker’s technique is fantastic. One of my favorite [techniques] that he does, he finds the right hand and then before you know it, he sneaks this right kick behind the arm. In my opinion, the stance is going to cause Khamzat Chimaev some problems.”
He added:
"All technique aside, it’s going to be interesting to see how they get on with distance management and footwork [because] the way that Robert Whittaker uses his footwork with in-and-out movement is difficult for offensive wrestling. You don’t know if he’s going to be in close or far away because he’s constantly hopping, he closes the distance and then gets out really fast which is difficult for a grapple-heavy fighter to deal with like Khamzat Chimaev.”
Check out Tom Aspinall's comments below (28:45):