Thatâs exactly what Du Plessisâ coach believes, as he provided a recent update on the return plans for âStillknocksâ.
Morne Visser Thinks Robert Whittaker in February Is Next for Dricus Du Plessis
Visser told Submission Radio that Du Plessisâ next opponent isnât as guaranteed as many assume, though he does have a date in mind.
The CIT Performance Institute head coach revealed that in his latest conversation with the champion, they discussed a February fight in Sydney, which looks almost certain.
âI had a conversation with Dricus yesterday, and I told him thereâs only one thing certain at this stage: we need to be ready to fight in Sydney in February. My opinion is Seanâs overselling itâheâs had one win after Dricus, against Costa. Whittaker has two, and I think heâs going for number three now.â
Visser added that he believes Whittaker is the most likely opponent for Du Plessis, provided he defeats Chimaev.
âMy honest opinion is that next in line for us will be Whittaker in Sydney in February. I think heâs going to beat Khamzat, and I honestly believe theyâll give him the title shot.â
Visser also mentioned that while the UFC will likely wait to see the outcome of Whittaker vs. Chimaev, he doesnât think Chimaev will leapfrog Strickland for the title shot if he wins.
Khamzat Chimaev recently revealed that heâs made major adjustments to his training regimen to aid in his recovery from past illnesses, ensuring he’s in top form for his highly anticipated comeback next month.
“Borz” is preparing to square off against former champion Robert Whittaker in a high-stakes, five-round co-main event at UFC 308 on October 26 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The two fighters were originally slated to meet in the main event of a UFC Fight Night in Saudi Arabia this past June. However, just two weeks before the showdown, Chimaev was forced to pull out due to an unspecified illness. Ikram Aliskerov stepped in on short notice to save the headliner, only to get knocked out by “The Reaper” in under two minutes.
Once regarded as one of the most dangerous and active fighters on the UFC roster, Chimaev’s momentum has drastically slowed, with only two Octagon appearances since his hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Gilbert Burns at UFC 273 in April 2023.
Much of the 30-year-old Russianâs UFC career has been hampered by illness and recovery from injuries. However, with the looming challenge of Whittaker and the prospect of a potential middleweight title eliminator, Chimaev appears more determined than ever. Heâs leaving no stone unturned, making significant changes to his training approach.
Chimaev Enlists His First Wrestling Coach For UFC 308 Comeback
During a recent appearance on the HUSTLE VLOG on Russian YouTuber Adam Zubayraev’s channel, Chimaev revealed that in light of his past health issues, he has brought back his first wrestling coach, Salim Noutsalkhanov, to guide his UFC 308 fight camp.
“The point is they now let me rest and recover properly. I used to go to the gym and just train till I was done,” Chimaev said. “Yes [I would train just to get exhausted] but then I ended up in the hospital like the last time when I was in the hospital three times in a row in the space of three weeks. My immune system went down, I got sick, and now I use a better approach.”
Chimaev further expressed strong confidence in Noutsalkhanovâs coaching abilities, emphasizing his experience in training legendary freestyle wrestlers such as Buvaisar Saitiev.
“I work with good coaches; Salim raised a lot of world champions; he also trained Buvaisar Saitiev for the Beijing Olympics with people like that. I am going to take a big step forward.”
Chimaev last stepped into the Octagon at UFC 294 in October 2023, where he took on former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in a short-notice matchup. During the bout, “Borz” sustained a torn ligament in his hand.
The former champion was able to reclaim the title after a controversial rematch that ended in a draw, following their first encounter where she was shockingly submitted.
The takedowns from Shevchenko totally shut down Grasso’s boxing skills and aside from a few submission attempts, she wasn’t able to stop the challenger’s takedowns which led to her being stuck on the floor for the majority of the duration.
Robert Whittaker Questions How The Match-Up Was Ever Close After Watching UFC 306
On a recent episode of his MMArcade Podcast, former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker gave his analysis of the co-main event.
He pointed to the fact that there was a huge gap between them this time around compared to their prior encounter at last year’s Noche UFC.
Even though Grasso was able to secure one of the biggest upsets in UFC history when she submitted Shevchenko at UFC 285, she was down on the scorecards at the time.
Having seen how easy the “Bullet” made the fight look at points inside the Sphere, Whittaker questioned how this match-up was ever competitive.
“They’ve fought three times now. I don’t know how Grasso won the first, well I do, she was losing until she submitted Shevchenko right? And then I don’t know how the second one was a draw because this third fight like Grasso did nothing. I don’t want to come down hard on her okay because maybe she was just shut down that heavy but it was a draw last fight.
“I don’t know, it didn’t look like Grasso wanted to be in that fight. It looked like a significant level difference this time around.”
Robert Whittaker recently showered Dricus Du Plessis with praise, commending his fierce mentality and determination to secure victories in the Octagon.
At UFC 305 last month, Du Plessis successfully defended his middleweight crown for the first time, securing a stunning fourth-round submission victory over former champion Israel Adesanyaâa win that Whittaker had confidently predicted beforehand.
Whittaker is now preparing for a high-stakes showdown against Khamzat Chimaev in a five-round middleweight clash, serving as the co-main event of UFC 308. The bout is set for October 26 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The victor of this matchup is expected to earn a title shot against Du Plessis, and Whittaker is focused on sharpening his skills, determined to first conquer “Borz” and then settle the score with the South African…
Whittaker On Du Plessis’ Toughness: ‘He’s Literally Willing To Die Out There’
During a recent interview with mainevent, “The Reaper” opened up about his preparations for his upcoming showdown with Chimaev. The former middleweight champion revealed that he’s working hard to refine all aspects of his game, whether itâs striking or wrestling, as he aims to be more well-rounded than ever before.
“My striking is only getting better,” Whittaker said. “You can believe that every second you don’t see me in a ring or in an Octagon striking, I’m out thereâI’m on the mat wrestling. Like, I’m constantly wrestling, I’m constantly grinding, and I’m perfecting myself. I’m really looking to come into this next fight as the best version of myself, with every box ticked.”
Whittaker also weighed in on Du Plessis’ victory over Adesanya, offering insight into what sets “Stillknocks” apart. He noted that while Du Plessis boasts an unorthodox fighting style, it’s his ironclad mentality and toughness that truly drives his success in the cage.
“I think he’s got a really solid headspace and mentality for winning fights. I think that’s like his superpower because he’s an awkward dude, he obviously hits really hard, and he’s tough as nails. But I think all of that stems from his relentlessness mentally. He’s literally willing to die out there, and I think if you don’t match that mentality, if you don’t come into the Octagon with the same headspace, you’re not going to take it from him.”
Kamaru Usman could be back in the mix at the top of the welterweight division despite the fact that he has lost his last three fights inside the Octagon.
The former welterweight champion may be without a win since he lost the title in his second fight with Leon Edwards but he has other factors that make him a credible contender.
Shavkat Rakhmonov may be the clear option on paper but the undefeated finisher doesn’t have the same pedigree and longstanding relationship with the UFC.
The relationship that Usman has built up with the promotion was on full display at UFC 294, where he stepped in to fight Khamzat Chimaev up a weight class on short notice.
Robert Whittaker believes that this puts him in a strong position to get the title shot.
Robert Whittaker Says Kamaru Usman’s UFC 294 Save Puts Him On Good Terms With The UFC
On a recent episode of his MMArcade Podcast, Whittaker gave his thoughts on whether “The Nigerian Nightmare” will be able to secure this fight after what he has done for the UFC in the past.
“I think after Usman stepped in to fight Chimaev on a week’s notice, I feel like that’s a lot of balls in his court. I feel like that’s a lot of weight cuz that’s pretty ballsy, it was a pretty good fight. I don’t know, I wouldn’t be terribly upset if he gets a title shot.”
Whittaker’s co-host on the podcast, Jonny Roses, referenced how after that fight at UFC 294, Dana White went into the Octagon to thank Usman for taking this fight on short notice.
“The Reaper” responded by saying that though he can see Usman getting a title shot or an eliminator, he doesn’t think the promotion will want to do what is best for Muhammad.
“It’s hard to say, I can see them giving it to Usman because of that but Usman hasn’t been in for a long time. I could also say I can also see them fighting Shavkat for that reason but I can’t see UFC doing Belal too much of a solid in terms of matching up his hardest opponents together, you know what I mean. I don’t think he’s earned that credit strip yet.”
Khamzat Chimaev is set to return to action at UFC 308 where his fight with former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has been rescheduled for the co-main event.
Despite the fact that he debuted in the UFC four years ago, it still feels like there are so many unanswered questions surrounding the undefeated contender.
One of those athletes is the #5-ranked middleweight Caio Borralho who got some work in with Chimaev two years ago.
Caio Borralho Reflects On Experience Training With Khamzat Chimaev In Sweden
Borralho had two main takeaways from the time that he spent training with Chimaev in the past, as he detailed in a recent interview with Submission Radio.
“I already training with him, spent some time in Sweden with him for his training camp against Nate Diaz, the fight that never happened. I was there training with him every day, was my main sparring partner for this camp and I think it’s a very tough fight for Whittaker ‘cuz Khamzat has very great wrestling and there’s one thing about Khamzat that people don’t realize too much. They don’t know what kind of level to expect from him. Like they know by seeing but when feel it, think it’s a little bit different. This kind of level of wrestling, of grappling, I think the best wrestler in the division is Khamzat and we saw how he dominated Kamaru Usman, that’s a great, great wrestler.”
Along with his wrestling pedigree, the other major characteristic of Chimaev’s approach to MMA has been his intense work ethic.
Borralho gave some insight into this by detailing one particular session where “Borz” continued to work after completing the sparring session for the day.
“He trains a lot, like I didn’t see any other guy in my life that trains as much as he trains. Maybe that’s why sometimes he like kills his body and doesn’t make it to the fight but definitely a guy that over train everyone in the room. There was a time that we did like five rounds sparring and after sparring, he did like three or four rounds of pads and then after that, he did like a 30-minute run and I was like, ‘What the f*** is this guy doing?’”
Robert Whittaker, since moving up to middleweight in the UFC, has only lost thrice. Two of these losses came against Israel Adesanya, and he most recently lost to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 290.
Although Whittaker’s been unable to reclaim his UFC middleweight title since 2019, he’s defeated top contenders such as Darren Till, Jared Cannonier, Paulo Costa, Marvin Vettori, and Ikram Aliskerov.
“Bobby Knuckles” will now face Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308. Here’s what he thinks of fighting another intimidating contender and how he plans to emerge victorious…
Robert Whittaker Reveals Several Reasons That Make Him Confident About Beating Khamzat Chimaev
Whittaker appeared on the Submission Radio YouTube channel recently and discussed the state of the UFC middleweight division. When asked about his next fight, “The Reaper” highlighted that he’s had two camps preparing specifically for Chimaev which is naturally a huge advantage.
“I’ve essentially had two camps for this guy, right? I think skill-set wise, I’m probably at the best I’ve been. I’ve been especially most prepared for Khamzat, theoretically speaking as I could be, right?”
The former UFC middleweight kingpin also feels great physically and mentally. He likes fighting in the Middle East, which is luckily where UFC 308 takes place.
Whittaker didn’t hold back when asked about his strategy going into the Chimaev fight. He’s aware of the explosive wrestling his opponent brings in the early rounds. However, he’s certain about neutralizing Chimaev’s wrestling and turning the tides as the fight goes on.
“Yeah, definitely that high-paced start and his wrestling prowess. It’s quite simple. You know, you got to worry about how hard he’s going to push the wrestling envelope in the first few rounds. And then, like, what I’m going to do after that, after I stop the takedowns, after I get back up or whatever, and just taking the fight to him.”
Whittaker has racked up two impressive wins in 2024. By ending the year with a win over a huge name like Chimaev, he’ll most likely earn a title shot.
Former UFC welterweight title challenger Darren Till has been getting vocal about the division he was once a part of, and that continued this week with some opinions on the top middleweight fighters.
Till hasn’t competed in mixed martial arts since a defeat to then-future champion Dricus Du Plessis in late 2022. The start of the subsequent year saw “The Gorilla” granted his release from the UFC, and he’s since had just one boxing outing.
All the while, the Liverpool native has vowed to return to the Octagon down the line and hasn’t shied away from giving his assessments of various fighters and matchups, especially at his most recent fighting weight in the UFC of 185 pounds.
That trend has remained this week, but it wasn’t just the South African taking fire…
Till Berates Some, Praises Others: ‘DDP I Hate Your Guts…Sean I Like’
In a recent X post, Till gave his honest take on a number of notable names in the middleweight division, expressing somewhat positive thoughts on Marvin Vettori, Sean Strickland, and Robert Whittaker.
All three still caught some flak, but it was Du Plessis and Adesanya who took the brunt of it.
Marvin I really like but ur shit DDP I hate ur guts and ur shit Izzy!!!! Ur gay and ur shit Sean I like and ur ok cos u beat me up in the gym once after I boxed ur head off Whittaker I fucking love u but I beat you, you chose the shithouse way and took me down 10 seconds in theâŚ
“Marvin I really like but ur sh*t. DDP I hate ur guts and ur sh*t. Izzy!!!! Ur gay and ur sh*t. Sean I like and ur ok cos u beat me up in the gym once I boxed ur head off. Whittaker I f**king love u but I beat you, you chose the sh*thouse way and took me down 10 seconds in the last round… ur sh*t.”
Till also didn’t miss an opportunity to quip at himself.
“Have I missed anyone out? Oh sh*t yeh… myself, I’m f**king so shit I really am.”
And newly crowned UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad also briefly entered the Scouser’s crosshairs.
“Also Belal Muhammad isn’t a real fighter strip him of his title he cheated against Leon!!!!!”
Robert Whittaker recently drew a parallel to the identical situation from his own fight against Dricus Du Plessis, which he observed during the main event of UFC 305.
The fight erupted at a blistering pace, with both fighters driving the action from the opening bell. The first round was a closely contested striking exchange, but in the second, Du Plessis relied on his superior grappling, securing multiple takedowns despite Adesanyaâs resilience. As the third round unfolded, “The Last Stylebender” appeared to be in trouble but soon found his rhythm, landing powerful shots to the head and body.
Early in the fourth, the challenger seemed poised for a knockout, but Du Plessis turned the tide with punishing combinations, culminating in a perfectly timed takedown. He swiftly took Adesanyaâs back and secured the submission victory moments later.
The South Africanâs unconventional fighting style, combined with the power in his hands, seems to be an enigma that his opponents can’t unravel. No one is better suited to attest to this than Whittaker, with his firsthand experience facing Du Plessis in the Octagon…
Whittaker Analyzes How Du Plessis Lulls Opponents Before Capitalizing
During a recent appearance on the MMArcade Podcast, ‘The Reaper’ dissected Du Plessis’ triumphant performance against Adesanya at UFC 305. Whittaker highlighted the uncanny similarity between his own second-round knockout loss to Du Plessis at UFC 290 in July 2023 and the manner in which Adesanya succumbed to the South Africanâs relentless power.
The former UFC middleweight champion observed that “Stillknocks” possesses a deceptive ability to coax his opponents into a false sense of security, making them believe heâs slow and predictable. But just when they start to feel comfortable, he surges forward with an unorthodox stance, unleashing powerful strikes that catch them off guard.
“There’s a method to his madness like I’m making light of it and making it funny, but the dude is a weapon. He’s a true warrior,” Whittaker said. “I can say that firsthand because he beat me right with the same cumbersome throwing punches. It’s funnyâI saw the same moment Adesanya had in his fight that I had in my fight, and it was somewhere in the first round where you think you see the punches, you move out of the way of the punches, and you realize like he’s slow, I can see them, like I got this, it’s almost like you’re thinking, ‘This is too easy, I can see everything.’”
“And then, all of a sudden, he hits you. Then he starts climbing on you when he starts closing that gap a little bit more, like he starts, what, risking it a little bit more, like lunging into his shots, and he closes that inch that you thought you were safe by a little bit. Then there’s the factor of his power.”
“The Reaper” also highlighted that what truly makes Du Plessis a formidable force is his versatile style and the power that complements it perfectly.
“In that last exchange before the submission, Adesanya took some heavy shots. Adesanya’s got a great chinâhe does, bastard. Dricus saw that too, pushed it, got the takedown, and then jumped on the back straight awayâgood instincts. He said he trained for that transition, and it looks good, but that’s just a testament to his power because his power is what got him the chance, the opportunity. There’s so much to dissect and so many ‘what ifs,’ like you’d have to ask him, but, like, man, to sum it all up, I think Adesanya looked outstanding. Dricus is just a warrior, and I understand what you need to do to beat him.”
UFC 305 headliner Dricus Du Plessis secured his first shot at gold on MMA’s biggest stage by getting the better of an all-time great of the middleweight division in Robert Whittaker.
Before unseating Sean Strickland this past January, Du Plessis earned his spot as top contender by shocking the world with his performance against Whittaker, who is widely regarded as one of the best the weight class has seen.
Despite being 5-0 in the Octagon at the time, the South African former KSW champion had plenty of detractors doubting his unorthodox style and its chances against the division’s elite. But Du Plessis made good on his confidence by stopping “The Reaper” in round two during International Fight Week in July 2023..
Ahead of Saturdayâs event, the promotion has released the full Du Plessis vs. Whittaker fight from UFC 290 on its official YouTube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09aqaUUBW4Y
Du Plessis will now need to upset the odds once again if he’s to add a successful defense to his rĂŠsumĂŠ in mixed martial arts.
In addition to maintaining his spot on the middleweight throne and further enhancing his legacy in the division, victory in Perth would keep the South African’s UFC 0 intact. That’s not to mention stopping Adesanya from a historic three-time crowning.
Several big fights are to take place in the UFC’s middleweight division following the title fight this weekend between Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya.
Though their fight would likely be a title eliminator in most circumstances, the five round co-main event of UFC 308 in October between Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev also has the potential to set either man up for a shot at the belt.
Brendan Allen Says That He No Longer Sees Robert Whittaker & Other Top Contenders The Same Way
In a recent interview with MMA News, Allen was asked to give his thoughts on this rescheduled match-up between Whittaker and Chimaev that could have an impact on his bout with Imavov.
When approaching the subject of the former champion, he spoke about how his opinion of Whittaker has changed over the years.
Allen is currently riding a seven-fight win streak that puts him right in the mix with the top names at 185-pounds.
As a result, he now sees his fellow contenders as competition rather than fighters that he is able to admire from the outside looking in.
“I used to be a big fan of Robert [Whittaker], I’m not really anymore but I used to be a big fan. I’m just, I don’t know, it’s like maybe it’s just one of those things, how the idols become your rival type thing. Now I just like, I don’t f*** with any of y’all. I want y’all to know that I don’t f*** with any of y’all. So, I don’t know, I just mind my business and try to stay to myself just because I don’t want any problems with nobody but as soon as someone ask me something, I’m going to answer how I want to answer and then they’re going to feel some type of way and whatever.”
Robert Whittaker has his eyes firmly set on the upcoming middleweight title clash between Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya, which will headline UFC 305, and for good reason. Recently, he shared his thoughts on how this highly anticipated bout might unfold.
âStillknocksâ is poised to put his middleweight title on the line for the first time in a rivalry-fueled showdown against Adesanya, scheduled for this weekend at the RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia.
Du Plessis was initially lined up to face Adesanya following his knockout win over Whittaker at UFC 290 in July 2023. However, destiny intervened, as an injury sidelined the undefeated South African contender. Meanwhile, “The Last Stylebender” suffered a shocking loss, surrendering his title to Strickland at UFC 293 last September.
Du Plessis marked his victorious comeback by edging out Strickland in a split decision, capturing the 185-pound title at UFC 297 this past January. With renewed confidence, he has boldly declared his belief that he will defeat Adesanya, who is returning to the Octagon after an 11-month self-imposed hiatusâthe longest break of his UFC career.
Having squared off against both UFC 305 main eventersâespecially Adesanya, whom he’s faced twiceâ”The Reaper” possesses a rare perspective on the hurdles each will likely face when they clash in the Octagon this Saturday night…
Whittaker Predicts Adesanyaâs Lessons From Strickland Loss Could Affect Du Plessis Bout
During a recent appearance on the MMArcade Podcast, Whittaker delved into the upcoming clash between Du Plessis and Adesanya, noting that it’s hard for him to predict a clear winner. The former UFC middleweight champion pointed out that both fighters last stepped into the Octagon against Strickland, but their contrasting strategies led to very different results.
“I guess it’s very hard to put a hard pick on either one of them,” Whittaker said. “But I’ll say all we can look at is historically, like their previous fights. Dricus, in his last fight against Strickland, moved forward, put pressure on Strickland, didn’t let Strickland do that to him, shut his game down, was very aggressive, created that space, and didn’t let Strickland really find the rhythm that he likes to fight in.
Strickland, prior to that fight, fought Adesanya and did exactly that to Israelâpushed into his space and didn’t allow Adesanya to utilize that dangerous space that he likes fighting in. He crowded him to a point where he didn’t let him have any free distancing from the fence so that he could move away. He kept Adesanya’s back to the fence for 90% of the fight and beat Adesanya by decision.”
“The Reaper” went on to highlight that a pivotal aspect of this fight will be whether Adesanya has fine-tuned his skills during his time off after the loss to Strickland. He noted that it will be crucial to see if Adesanya can effectively counter Du Plessis’ relentless pressure and close-quarters exchanges.
“Dricus was able to push that plan against Strickland that Strickland was able to push against Adesanya, so you would have to think Dricus is going to push that same plan on Adesanya. And I guess the million-dollar question is, what has Izzy done in his layoff since the Strickland fight to make sure that doesn’t happen again? Because you can bet your bottom dollar Dricus is going to push into that.”
Sean Stricklandâs coach, Eric Nicksick, recently shared his insights on a tactical approach that could be key to conquering Khamzat Chimaev in a fight.
Initially, both fighters were slated to headline UFC Fight Night in Saudi Arabia on June 22. However, just weeks before the showdown, âBorzâ was forced to withdraw due to an undisclosed illness. In a last-minute effort to save the main event, Ikram Aliskerov stepped up on short notice. Whittaker made quick work of Aliskerov, delivering a knockout victory in under two minutes.
The undefeated Chechen has earned a formidable reputation for his relentless and dominating fighting style. However, in the past two years, Chimaevâs momentum has been hampered by various setbacks, with illness being the primary factor behind his reduced activity.
Chimaev made his long-awaited return to the Octagon after a 13-month hiatus, squaring off against former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 last October. He dominated the first round with a strong start, but the fight quickly became intense as Usman staged a spirited comeback, turning the next two rounds into a fiercely competitive contest. Despite the back-and-forth battle, Chimaev ultimately secured a majority decision victory.
Nicksick believes that if “The Reaper” can weather Chimaev’s explosive onslaught in the first two rounds, he’ll present the toughest challenge “Borz” has ever encountered in the Octagon…
Nicksick Suggests Chimaev Might Falter If Pushed To ‘Deep Waters’ in Later Rounds
During a recent interview with Red Corner MMA, Nicksick provided his analysis of the showdown between Whittaker and Chimaev. The respected MMA coach heaped praise on Whittaker, hailing him as one of the all-time greats in the middleweight division, and voiced his confidence that the former champion has the potential to deliver the toughest test Chimaev has ever faced in his career.
“I mean, it’s a great fight. You know, I think Rob has been somewhat overlooked in his last few fights, especially with the way he got beat by Dricus [Du Plessis],” Nicksick said. “Then he comes back the way he has. Robert Whittaker, I think, would have been a champion for a long time if it hadn’t been for Israel Adesanya. Itâs like thereâs always someoneâs Kryptonite that comes into play… This is the matchup we need to see from both fighters to see how good Khamzat actually is. Would you be surprised if Khamzat blew through Robert Whittaker? No, you wouldnât. Would you be surprised if Whittaker blew through Khamzat? No, you wouldn’t. So this is just one of those fights where you really want to see how good Khamzat truly is.”
Nicksick further noted that Chimaev has yet to face the rigorous test of a five-round bout. He highlighted that âBorzâ struggled to maintain his intense pressure in previous fights against Usman and Gilbert Burns, suggesting that his cardio issues could be detrimental in a prolonged contest.
“I think the pace; I think somebody that can drag it into deep waters that we saw with Usman, that we saw in a three-rounder with Gilbert Burns, right? In a five-rounder, itâs always going to be the question mark because of Khamzatâs style of always trying to finish fights and get guys out of there right away. Can that be his Kryptonite? Is a guy whoâs durable, who can last, get through rounds one and two, and then where does Khamzat fare in the deeper rounds? That is the question mark. We havenât seen the unknownâthatâs all weâre asking, and how well he does in these situations.”
The 32-year old contender is ranked as the #2 in the division behind the former champion and the last man to challenge Alex Pereira for the light heavyweight title, JiĹĂ ProchĂĄzka.
Though he does have a no contest from his first fight with Johnny Walker and a draw against Jan BĹachowicz, Ankalaev is undefeated since his UFC debut and has won ten in a row (excluding the two previously mentioned blemishes).
Though it makes sense why Pereira would then instead be booked for a rematch with ProchĂĄzka on late notice at UFC 303, Ankalaev would surely then be the next one up.
However, he is now set to face Aleksandar RakiÄ, who is coming off of a loss to ProchĂĄzka, in Abu Dhabi.
Robert Whittaker Jokes That Magomed Ankalaev May Simply Not Be In The UFC’s Good Books
In a recent episode of hisMMArcade Podcast, former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker gave his reaction to this fight being put together.
Whittaker, who will also feature on UFC 308 in a co-main event clash with Khamzat Chimaev over five rounds, was also surprised to see Ankalaev back in action against someone other than Pereira.
He laid out how there are two thought processes behind this fight with one being that “Poatan” has earned a rest and his number one contender would rather be active in the mean time.
Whittaker also laid out how this decision may have been made due to the relationship that Ankalaev currently has with the UFC, which has been rocky to say the least in recent years.
“Pereira deserves a break, he took that second fight with what’s his name and won it in outstanding fashion and then his toe was broken so he deserves a break. I guess I can look at it like… UFC really don’t like Ankalaev. Like when he fought against BĹachowicz to that draw, they were just like cross his name out. They’re like yeah, like he didn’t have great rapport after that fight right. So that or it’s exactly as you said, Pereira needs some time out, Ankalaev doesn’t want to sit out forever. Or, bear with me here, they’re prepping him to fight Aspinall.”
Robert Whittaker recently revealed that the push to reschedule his previously canceled bout against Khamzat Chimaev for UFC 308 was entirely his initiative.
Both fighters were initially set to headline UFC Fight Night in Saudi Arabia on June 22. However, just weeks before the contest, “Borz” withdrew due to an unspecified illness. In a bid to salvage the main event, Ikram Aliskerov stepped in on short notice. Unfortunately for Aliskerov, his night was cut short as Whittaker dispatched him with a knockout in under two minutes.
“The Reaper” asserts that it was his idea to challenge Chimaev once again, driven by a desire to test his skills against the formidable opponent…
Whittaker Believes Victory Over Chimaev Could Secure Title Shot
During a recent appearance on the MMArcade Podcast, Whittaker discussed his rationale for rescheduling his fight against Chimaev. The former UFC middleweight champion expressed that he couldn’t pass up the chance to fight on enemy turf and prove his mettle.
“Unfortunately, the business isn’t completely run on merit, and a lot of it is, but there are a lot of times and moments when it just is not,” Whittaker said. “Chimaev is a hard fight; he’s obviously a big draw, especially over there in Abu Dhabi⌠I think the UFC, story-wise, wants to see Chimaev get a shot at the champion or whatever. They want to see Chimaev at the top of the ladder; they want to see him in that picture. But I love disrupting their plans; I love derailing their stories, and that’s why I took the fight.
You know, I asked for the fight straight after my last fight. I saw there was an Abu Dhabi card in October, the timeline fits perfectly, and I was like, I’ll fight Chimaev again. Let’s do it again, just make sure he turns up.”
“The Reaper” further emphasized that he knows Chimaev is a tough opponent, but believes that defeating him would pave the way for a title shot.
“I look forward to hard fights, and I know that if I beat Chimaev, there is nothing in my way to getting my belt back. Chimaev, as dangerous as he is, I don’t go into these fights thinking about what I have to lose. Much like how I took the fight with Ikram, I don’t look at the fights and think, ‘Oh man, it’s too big of a risk.’ Every fight’s a risk, you know, and I only go into fights because I have the confidence I’m going to beat and smash whoever is in front of me, and that doesn’t change with Chimaev.”
“Borz” has been out of action since his majority decision victory over Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 last October. During that bout, he suffered a torn ligament in his hand, which was followed by a severe infection that spread across his upper body, forcing him to take an extended break from active competition.
Meanwhile, Whittaker is gearing up for his third Octagon appearance of 2024. Earlier this year, he secured a decisive victory over Paulo Costa at UFC 298 in February and followed it up with a win against Aliskerov.
Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker (26-7) and the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev (13-0) will attempt to share the Octagon at the second time of trying at UFC 308 this year in Abu Dhabi.
The pair were previously lined up to headline the promotion’s debut event in Saudi Arabia this past June. On short notice, however, Chimaev withdrew from the Kingdom Arena-held card after suffering from an illness.
In his place stepped in Ikram Aliskerov, who was emphatically knocked out in the first round by “The Reaper.” While some suggested the Australian could be in line for another shot at regaining the belt next, he’ll have to keep his focus on “Borz” first.
Their rearranged middleweight matchup was announced by UFC CEO Dana White in a video on social media. It will be a five-round co-main event, with a featherweight title fight between champ Ilia Topuria and BMF titleholder Max Holloway headlining.
Having faced and defeated both men, Du Plessis finds this fight difficult to call but he did give his analysis and prediction.
Dricus Du Plessis Says Grappling Exchange Key To Whittaker vs. Strickland
Du Plessis has remained on the fence in the past when being asked about this fight because he didn’t have a clear image in his head of the way that it takes place.
He spoke during a recent interview with mainevent on Fox Sports where after giving it some thought, he broke down how he sees it going.
He gave the bold prediction that this one could come down to who wins the grappling exchanges despite both men being known for their striking.
If this is the case, he sided with “The Reaper” to get his hand raised.
“The fact that I really honestly can’t say off the bat means it’s gonna be a great fight. I honestly think it’s going to come down to the same thing, imposing game plans. If you let Strickland walk forward like he did with Paulo Costa and like he did with Israel Adesanya, if you give him that space and that momentum, it’s really really hard to take it back and it’s really hard to swing that fight. So, to make sure that Rob fights his fight. If Rob can do his blitzes the way he does then I think he takes that fight. I think it comes down to a wrestling and clinch game and I think Rob wins that fight.”
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker recently remarked that the constant doubts surrounding Paddy Pimblett might have been the catalyst for his transformation into a better fighter.
Although Green had a size advantage over Pimblett, he found it challenging to connect his combinations effectively at the beginning of the fight. Meanwhile, Pimblett focused on landing powerful calf kicks. This strategy seemed to unsettle the American, who attempted a takedown midway through the round. The 29-year-old Scouser expertly countered with a guillotine choke before swiftly transitioning into a triangle choke from the bottom.
Pimblett seamlessly adjusted to Green’s escape attempts, tightening the submission hold with each passing second. He smoothly transitioned the choke into an armbar, and as Green lost consciousness, the referee stepped in to halt the fight at 3:22.
Despite his six-fight undefeated streak in the Octagon, Pimblett remains a frequent target of online criticism. However, “The Reaper” believes this persistent skepticism has fueled Pimblett’s evolutionâŚ
Whittaker Believes Pimblett Is More Tuned In
During a recent episode of his MMArcade Podcast, Whittaker shared his insights on “The Baddy’s” performance at UFC 304.
The Aussie remarked that Pimblett has shown significant evolution since his previous bouts, displaying an impressive level of focus and grit to secure the victory.
“I think that falling from grace he had just, you know, lit a fire up his a**,” Whittaker said. “He’s just got so much better for it. I feel like he’s more focused, he’s more switched on than we’ve seen before. And that was the Paddy I wanted to see because that was the one we saw against [Tony] Ferguson. Like, that level of determination, that level of focus, you know, that ability to stay on task, and mate, that’s exactly what happened.
“Paddy saw an opportunity when Bobby was waiting for a takedown and had the guts and the confidence to go for the submission attempts. That’s half the work â the confidence to go for your submission attempts and to believe in them. And he did that, yeah, and he stopped a guy that doesn’t get stopped often.”
The Englishman then issued a challenge to Renato Moicano, proposing a showdown later this year or early next year, contingent on the Brazilian overcoming BenoĂŽt Saint Denis in their upcoming September bout.
Robert Whittaker recently said that he believes Leon Edwards did not perform to the best of his abilities in his rematch against Belal Muhammad at UFC 304.
“Rocky” relinquished his welterweight championship to Muhammad in his third title defense this Saturday at the Co-Op Live arena in Manchester, England. This was the second showdown between the two fighters, with their first encounter ending in a no-contest after an eye-poke rendered Muhammad unable to continue past the second round.
Muhammad came out strong in the first round, quickly securing a takedown that highlighted his wrestling dominance. His seamless combination of takedowns and boxing set the tone for the fight. In the second round, he intensified his assault, dropping the defending champion on his head and taking control by securing his back.
Edwards managed a comeback in the fourth round with aggressive striking, but the challenger quickly closed the distance, taking him down and maintaining a dominant position for most of the round. In a dramatic final push, Edwards reversed the position and unleashed a barrage of elbows, splitting Muhammad open.
This setback cost the Jamaican-born Englishman not only his title but also ended his impressive 13-fight unbeaten streak in the Octagon. “The Reaper” believes Edwards didn’t meet the high standards he has set for himself…
Whittaker Believes Edwards Wasn’t At His Best Against Muhammad
During a recent episode of the MMArcade Podcast, Whittaker analyzed the rematch between Edwards and Muhammad at UFC 304. The UFC middleweight champion conveyed his surprise at “Rocky’s” uncharacteristic struggle in the bout, noting that his performance starkly contrasted with his last two impressive showings against Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington.
“I was surprised, not surprised like that Muhammad surprised me,” Whittaker said. “Yeah, no, you know what, I was surprised. I was surprised because Leon’s last two showings against Usman and Colby looked vastly different to the Leon that turned up against Muhammad. Now, what does that mean? Because I don’t want to take away from Belal just turning up and honestly dominating Leon Edwards. Like, he belted him in the stand-up. He put that constant pressure, was punching him up.”
Whittaker went on to say that Muhammad’s performance may have caught Edwards off guard, as he possibly underestimated how formidable his opponent would be.
“I am wondering why Leon had no answer for it because we saw him go up against the likes of Usman, we saw him go up against the likes of Colby, and both guys couldn’t do that. Was it because Belal is a much bigger welterweight? He looked strong in that. I don’t want to take away because it was such a good showing from Belal, but it was such aâlike, did he shut down that hard that he made Leon look bad, or was it because Leon was off? He said he felt lethargic or whatever.”
In his post-fight Octagon interview, “Rocky” revealed that he struggled with fatigue in the days leading up to UFC 304, as he attempted to acclimate to the unusual fight schedule in Manchester.
Edwards made it clear that he doesnât plan to dwell on the loss. He is eager to return to the Octagon later this year, though his next opponent remains uncertain.
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker recently lavished accolades on Tom Aspinall, applauding his impressive exploits in the Octagon.
Aspinall is slated to defend his interim heavyweight title against divisional veteran Curtis Blaydes in a highly anticipated rematch, featured as the co-main event of UFC 304. The upcoming pay-per-view event is scheduled for July 27 at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England.
Their initial bout at UFC Fight Night London in July 2022 ended disastrously after just 15 seconds when the 31-year-old Brit suffered a severe knee injury that sidelined him for an entire year.
During his time away from the Octagon, Aspinall overhauled his training regimen, a move that paid off immensely. As a result, he is now hailed as one of the premier heavyweights on the current UFC roster.
Aspinall has cemented his reputation as a versatile powerhouse in the division, with his refined striking skills consistently catching his opponents off guard. “The Reaper” is profoundly impressed by the sophistication of Aspinall’s striking game and agile footwork…
Whittaker Claims Aspinall’s Speed Unmatched In Heavyweight Division
During a recent appearance on the MMArcade Podcast, Whittaker shared his thoughts on the upcoming rematch between Aspinall and Blaydes. While the Aussie acknowledged his admiration for “Razor’s” wrestling skills, he pointed out that Blaydes often falls prey to heavy punchers.
“I’m a big fan of Curtis Blaydes,” Whittaker said. “Big fan of his fights, and he’s one of those fighters that when I pair him against other heavyweights, I don’t know how he loses. Being such a big guy and having that level of wrestling and cardio and output, I find it amazing. He gets caughtâthat’s the only way he loses; he gets caught by these big dudes. But more often than not, I don’t know if it’s just fight solid that’s led to a level of predictability, and you can see those bigger guys capitalizing on that.”
“The Reaper” further heaped praises on Aspinall’s exceptional abilities. He remarked that the Englishman’s remarkable level of athleticism, despite his towering stature, is what truly sets him apart from the rest of the heavyweight division.
“I’m a fan of how Tom Aspinall moves. I think the fact that he’s so light but can hit so hard in such a generally slow division is going to give Curtis Blaydes a lot of trouble. It is so hard to take someone down when they’re light on their feet. It is so hard to take someone down, when you know they can knock you out. It’s going to be a nightmare of a fight for Curtis Blaydes to try and close that gap, and I just don’t see Curtis beating Tom in a standup fight.”
Robert Whittaker recently commented that, despite their remarkably parallel win streaks, Belal Muhammad’s rĂŠsumĂŠ doesn’t quite measure up to that of Leon Edwards.
“Rocky” is scheduled to defend his welterweight title against Muhammad in a rematch set as the main event of UFC 304. The upcoming showdown will take place this weekend at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England.
Less than a week to go! #UFC304 đ´ó §ó ˘ó Ľó Žó §ó ż
After their first encounter, “Rocky” secured a title shot by defeating Nate Diaz at UFC 263 and went on to knock out Kamaru Usman to claim the welterweight championship at UFC 278 in August 2022. Currently, Edwards is riding high on a 13-fight unbeaten streak, marked by victories over notable names such as Donald Cerrone, Rafael dos Anjos, and Colby Covington.
Meanwhile, Muhammad had to work his way up the rankings, putting together a five-fight win streak (part of a broader 10-fight unbeaten streak) to finally earn a title opportunity. During his journey, the 36-year-old has triumphed over formidable opponents like Gilbert Burns, Sean Brady, and Stephen Thompson.
During his recent appearance on the MMArcade Podcast, Whittaker weighed in on the clash between Edwards and Muhammad. “The Reaper” noted that the Jamaican-born Englishman has exhibited remarkable evolution in his fighting style compared to his opponent since their no-contest meeting.
“I can see like two possibilities,” Whittaker said. “The first one, Leon Edwards, just being too good. I think the caliber of fights Leon Edwards has had is different from Belal Muhammad’s. Fighting Usman twice is huge, especially when he fought him the first time; that was good. Fighting Colby, like Colby, is a nightmare for everyone, and he was just able to shut him down so well with spectacular spacing. It’s very hard to find a hole, especially, you know, if we compare it to when he fought Nate Diaz, right? And we saw that hole get exposed in the later round or fights before that.”
“I feel like he’s tightened up to a whole new degree, further than he was then, and especially in that last fight, I was so super impressed with just how clean he was. There wasn’t really anything to pick apart; there weren’t any holes or glaring weaknesses to exploit for Colby.”
Whittaker further acknowledged “Remember the Name’s” impressive credentials but remarked that Muhammad would struggle to match Edwards’ relentless pace.
“I find that sort of fight going to be hard for Belal Muhammad, who, you know, is not spectacular in any one field. He’s kind of just really high level at all of them, in my opinion. He’s amazing at everything, but I feel like his greatest strength is that he’s well-rounded. He can take the fight in any direction to get the win. But I think he’s going to have trouble trying to push that sort of game plan on Leon Edwards.”
Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier has backed Sean Strickland’s claim to a title shot, as noise regarding Robert Whittaker getting the next opportunity instead continues to increase.
Even prior to his victory last month, Strickland felt hard done by having been overlooked by the promotion for Dricus Du Plessis’ first title defense this summer. “Tarzan,” of course, lost the middleweight belt to the South African by narrow margins at UFC 297 in Canada this past January.
He then begrudgingly accepted a bout with Paulo Costa, outpointing the former title challenger in a lackluster five-round co-main event at the UFC 302 pay-per-view in Newark. In the immediate aftermath, Strickland laid down his stance by insisting that he’ll only make the walk for a title fight next time out.
Cormier Asks: Why Are People ‘So Quick To Discredit’ Strickland?!
During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Cormier gave his take on the major topics currently appearing in mixed martial arts headlines, including Khamzat Chimaev’s push for a middleweight title shot.
Cormier questioned how Strickland keeps being left out of the discussion over who could fight the winner of Du Plessis vs. Adesanya. Ironically, “DC” initially left Strickland out himself and branded the victor of a potential Chimaev vs. Whittaker fight as next in line.
“Khamzat vs. Robert Whittaker to determine who’s next. You know what, or Sean Strickland,” Cormier said. “I don’t understand how Sean Strickland keeps getting forgotten. He does everything he’s supposed to do. He wins the fights. He was the number one contender. He should not always seem to be put on the backburner.
“He beat Paulo Costa better than Robert Whittaker beat Paulo Costa,” Cormier continued. “Rob goes and has that crazy fight in Saudi Arabia and we immediately start talking about him as the number one contender. What about Sean Strickland? I don’t know why people are so quick to discount this man. We saw it on his rise to the championship, we saw it when he was champion, we saw it when he was coming back. I don’t know why people are so quick to discredit this man.”
While known for his tendency to say yes to whichever fights the UFC slides across his desk, the former champ has been firm in rejecting a possible clash with “The Reaper,” as well as any other matchup that doesn’t come with the 185-pound belt on the line.
The thought that whittaker gets a title shot before me is fucking wild..
Khamzat Chimaev burst onto the scene by winning two UFC fights in different weight divisions within 10 days. However, the hype train that began in 2020 has derailed a bit due to his inconsistency.
Despite defeating credible opponents like Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns, “Borz” has yet to fight for the title at welterweight or middleweight. He was scheduled to take on Robert Whittaker at UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia last month, and winning the bout would have most likely solidified his first title shot.
Unfortunately, illness once again struck the Chechen star, forcing him to withdraw on late notice. Despite that, though, Chimaev still recently called for a title shot upon his return.
Michael Bisping recently reviewed Chimaev’s career and dismissed any chances of a championship fight next. However, the former UFC champ did reveal the one way through which the prospect can fight the winner of Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya.
Bisping Explains How Chimaev Can Pass Strickland, Whittaker For UFC Middleweight Title Shot
Bisping discussed Chimaev’s demands for a title shot upon his return on his official YouTube channel. Although “The Count” praised the Russian fighter for dominating Usman and being explosive in the Octagon, he highlighted that it isn’t enough for him to pass Whittaker and ex-middleweight king Sean Strickland in the title race.
Bisping also pointed out Chimaev’s inconsistency and how the UFC hasn’t been in proper touch with him. He fought four times in 2020 to gain a ton of hype in MMA circles but has only fought thrice since then. “Borz” has pulled out of bouts several times due to illness or other reasons, which has naturally hurt his brand.
“So, there’s no judgment against him for that, but the reality is for Khamzat Chimaev, the man doesn’t fight too frequently. Had one fight in 2023, two in 2022, and one in 2021. So, that’s an issue for the UFC and, certainly lately, he’s kind of been, I don’t want to say unreliable, but he’s pulled out a couple of times, okay?”
Having said that, the former UFC middleweight champ is certain that Chimaev is still one fight away from getting a chance at gold. At the numbered event in Abu Dhabi this October, Bisping believes he should aim to secure a rescheduled clash with the #3-ranked Whittaker.
Chimaev’s high-pace style slowed him down in the later rounds against Burns and Usman. For Bisping, a three-round battle with “Bobby Knuckles” at UFC 308 would be favorable because the Australian might have the edge in a five-round battle, as they were set for in Riyadh.
“The man is something special. Of course, the cardio issues as the fights get longer. That is the big question, can he do that over five rounds? But Robert Whittaker, if he fought in Abu Dhabi, that would only be three rounds. And that would actually help Khamzat Chimaev.”
“The Count” believes that a win over Whittaker would also allow Chimaev to pass Strickland for a title opportunity due to recency.
“Rebooking Robert ‘The Reaper’ Whittaker. The fight we all wanted to see, the fight that made sense, and the fight that would, I’ll be honest, set up the next number one contender. And that’s a shame for Sean Strickland.”
Alex Pereiraâs recent successful defense of his light heavyweight title at UFC 303 has added the Brazilianâs name to the ever-growing list of fighters who have successfully changed weight divisions within the UFC.
Today we take a look at some of the most notable examples (along with a few that didnât fare quite as well).
CONOR McGREGOR
The original âchamp-champâ. The first man to simultaneously hold championship belts in two different weight divisions. âThe Notoriousâ signed with the UFC back in 2013 having won both the featherweight and lightweight titles in Cage Warriors and within two-and-a-half years he knocked out Jose Aldo to claim the 145-pound belt.
Image: Conor McGregor IG
Less than a year later, he put on perhaps the best display of his career when he beat Eddie Alvarez at the iconic Madison Square Garden to claim the 155-pound strap. He has also competed in the welterweight division, fighting Nate Diaz twice and Donald Cerrone. His recent (now postponed) comeback bout against Michael Chandler had been set to take place over five rounds at 170 pounds.
DANIEL CORMIER
“DC” enjoyed huge success fighting as a heavyweight prior to signing with the UFC in 2013. He beat Antonio âBig Footâ Silva and Josh Barnett to win the Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix in 2012 and began his UFC career with wins over former heavyweight champion Frank Mir and Roy Nelson, before making the decision to move down to 205 pounds as his teammate Cain Velazquez was the heavyweight champion at the time.
https://youtu.be/4NCHPFS7VzQ?si=PPthrGer2lHnEjBH
Cormier submitted Anthony âRumbleâ Johnson in 2015 to claim the vacant light heavyweight title, and three years later, he made the decision to move up and challenge then-champion Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight title. He shocked the world by knocking out Miocic in the first round, although the Cleveland-born firefighter gained his revenge by beating Cormier twice in 2019/2020, retiring him from the sport.
Image: Robert Whittaker Instagram
ROBERT WHITTAKER
âBobby Knucklesâ signed with the UFC back in 2012 off the back of some impressive performances on The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes and had mixed results during his time competing in the welterweight division. He won three of his first five fights, but losses to Court McGee and Stephen âWonderboyâ Thompson convinced Whittaker to test the waters at 185 pounds.
What followed was an eight-fight winning streak, wins over the likes of Yoel Romero and âJacareâ Souza and the UFC middleweight title. Whittaker lost the belt to Israel Adesanya in 2022 but is still riding high in the division and finds himself in the title picture once again after his recent knockout victory over Ikram Aliskerov.
HENRY CEJUDO
The 2008 Olympic gold medalist won his first four fights inside the Octagon to earn a shot at then-UFC flyweight champion Demetrious âMighty Mouseâ Johnson back in 2016. Although Cejudo was knocked out in the first round, he soon worked his way back into title contention with some impressive victories over Wilson Reis and Sergio Pettis.
The rematch was a much closer affair, and âTriple Câ ended Johnsonâs record-breaking title reign and emerged victorious by way of a contentious split decision. A year later he moved up to 135lbs to challenge Marlon Moraes for the vacant UFC bantamweight title. He finished Moraes and then beat former champion Dominick Cruz in his first title defence in 2020, before relinquishing his belt and announcing his retirement, in what seemed like a power play due to contract issues with the UFC.
3 Fighters Who Moved Down A Weight Division…With Disastrous Results!
TJ DILLASHAW
TJ Dillashaw enjoyed two separate runs as UFC bantamweight champion. He shocked the MMA world when he destroyed Renan Barao at UFC 173 to capture the 135-pound belt. After losing the title to Dominck Cruz two years later, he regrouped and beat Raphael Assuncao and John Lineker to earn another shot at gold.
He knocked out former teammate Cody Garbrandt (who had won the belt from Cruz a year earlier), and after finishing âNo Loveâ again in a rematch, made the decision to cut to 125 pounds to challenge Henry Cejudo for the flyweight title.
The decision proved disastrous. Dillashaw was knocked out after just 32 seconds, and a couple of months later it was announced he had been suspended for two years by USADA due to testing positive for EPO in the lead-up to the Cejudo fight.
He returned after his suspension ended and beat Cory Sandhagen to earn another shot at the 135-pound belt but went into the fight against Aljamain Sterling carrying a serious shoulder injury and was finished easily. He has since walked away from the sport.
CODY GARBRANDT
Cody Garbrandt came into that first bantamweight title fight with TJ Dillashaw unbeaten at 10-0 and riding high off the back of a career-best performance against Dominick Cruz. Â The two losses he suffered at the hands of Dillashaw seemed to affect him badly. He was also knocked out by Pedro Munhoz in his next fight, and although he would claim a highlight reel finish over Raphael Assuncao in 2020, a defeat to Rob Font soon afterwards convinced him a change was needed.
Image: Cody Garbrandt Instagram
With no discernible path back into the bantamweight picture, âNo Loveâ decided to make the cut to 125 pounds for a fight against Australian flyweight contender Kai Kara-France at UFC 269. Another first-round knockout defeat followed, and Garbrandt stepped away from the spotlight for a much-needed break.
His return to the bantamweight division has been a little less calamitous. Wins over Trevin Jones and Brian Kelleher, followed by a submission loss to Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 300, have hinted that perhaps his future lies slightly outside of the title picture for now, but most definitely should be at 135 pounds.
DAN HOOKER
âThe Hangmanâ picked up a string of impressive wins in the UFCâs lightweight division between 2017 and 2021, beating the likes of Paul Felder, Al Iaquinta, Gilbert Burns, and Jim Miller. His record at 155 pounds during that five-year spell sits at eight wins and four defeats, but losses against the biggest names in the division such as Michael Chandler, Dustin Poirier and Islam Makhachev convinced the Australian to think about a move down to featherweight.
Image: UFC.com
His featherweight debut against Arnold Allen in London, England ended disastrously. At six-feet tall, Hooker looked frail and weakened at 145 pounds and Allen destroyed him in little over two minutes. Hooker has since returned to the lightweight division and reeled off victories over Claudio Puelles and Jalin Turner.
One thing we know for certain: finding the right weight class is of paramount importance for a fighter. It can be the defining factor between a promising career and a championship legacy in the highly demanding world of the UFC.
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After losing the UFC middleweight title to Dricus Du Plessis, Sean Strickland bounced back by defeating Paulo Costa at UFC 302 this past June. Since then, he’s been adamant about sitting out and fighting the winner of Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya at UFC 305, Perth.
However, Costa fought Strickland following a loss to Robert Whittaker. “The Reaper” has since beaten Khamzat Chimaev’s short-notice replacement Ikram Aliskerov easily to build his own case for another title shot.
Many believe that Strickland vs. Whittaker is the perfect title eliminator fight in the UFC middleweight division. Michael Bisping agrees and recently advised “Tarzan” to change his stance on turning down such a matchup…
Michael Bisping Reminds Sean Strickland About Downsides Of Waiting On The Sidelines
Bisping recently discussed Strickland’s latest motorcycle accident and next fight on his YouTube channel. He laid down situations in which waiting for a title shot instead of fighting Whittaker could affect the former champ’s ability to reclaim gold.
In the eyes of “The Count,” Strickland wouldn’t want a world where Du Plessis vs. Adesanya is razor close and results in a rematch. If, in the meantime, “The Reaper” racks up another dominant win, he’ll be more likely to get a title shot.
“You can’t sit around. You can’t feel so entitled. You have to go out there, stake your case, continue to apply your craft, get better with every single training camp. Make the statement that you are the uncrowned champion.”
Bisping looked at Whittaker’s impressive record as a middleweight, which contains three losses to only current or then-future champions. Because he walked out of the Aliskerov fight without damage, the Australian could feasibly return to the Octagon quickly and be the undisputed title challenger.
It is worth noting that the former British UFC middleweight champion isn’t critical of Strickland’s principles. After the razor-close decision loss to the current titleholder and a win since, he can rightly claim a second shot.
Nevertheless, Bisping maintained that it is still risky due to factors outside of his control.
“You do not want to wait on the sidelines. I mean, for example, let’s say Dricus beats Izzy. That’s a big if, but let’s just say he does. What if Dricus gets injured? What if that fight is so grueling, he tears a knee, he busts his eye up, he’s got a broken jaw. He’s coming back, but it’s going to be six to nine months. Is he still going to continue to wait on the sidelines?”
Overall, “The Count” only demands Strickland to not sit on the sidelines and do what he does best. Get inside the Octagon consistently, improve with every fight, and not let anyone else steal his claim at the title.
