The show must go on, and for Robert Whittaker, it's another opportunity to demonstrate his resilience and prowess in the octagon. With the last-minute withdrawal of Khamzat Chimaev due to severe illness, Whittaker now faces a new challenger, Ikram Aliskerov, at UFC Saudi Arabia.

Whittaker's Rollercoaster Journey

Robert Whittaker's career has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. Emerging as a victor in The Ultimate Fighter in 2012, he ascended to become the UFC middleweight champion. However, his reign was disrupted by Israel Adesanya in 2019. After losing the belt, Whittaker bounced back with three consecutive wins but faced another setback in a rematch against Adesanya in 2022. Since then, he's secured two wins and faced one defeat in his last three fights.

The Unpredictable Challenge of Aliskerov

Fighting a new opponent on such short notice could easily unsettle many fighters. But Whittaker is not like most. “There weren’t a lot of names thrown around, nobody would take it, it was too short notice. I understand the level of danger Ikram brings in,” Whittaker shared. Aliskerov, a seven-time Sambo gold medalist, brings his own impressive resume to the table. With a professional record of 15-1, his only loss comes at the hands of none other than Khamzat Chimaev in 2019. Since that defeat, Aliskerov has stacked up seven consecutive wins and remains undefeated in his three fights in the octagon so far.

High Stakes in the Kingdom Arena

The event, set to take place in the grand Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, promises to be a spectacle. With the prelims starting at noon ET and the main card at 3 p.m. ET, fans are eagerly anticipating the action-packed lineup. Whittaker and Aliskerov's match is the highlight, expected to kick off around 7 p.m. ET depending on the duration of the undercard fights.

How to Catch the Action

For those eager to tune in, UFC Saudi Arabia prelims will be available live on ESPN+, featuring intriguing bouts including Farid Basharat vs. Montel Jackson, Nasrat Haqparast vs. Jared Gordon, and the Road to UFC Season 2 bantamweight tournament finals. The main card will be broadcasted on ABC and ESPN+ in the U.S., with streaming options via Fubo. For viewers in the U.K., TNT Sports will air the main event.

This unexpected turn of events adds another layer of drama and excitement to UFC Saudi Arabia. As Whittaker welcomes this new challenge, fans around the world are keen to see if Aliskerov can pull off an upset and make his mark in UFC history.

Editor: Emiliia Morozova