Robert Whittaker wasn’t positive if he was nonetheless going to headline UFC Saudi Arabia after Khamzat Chimaev was out.
Whittaker was set to headline the cardboard subsequent Saturday towards Chimaev, however on Thursday, rumors began to swirl that the undefeated fighter can be out. Nevertheless, based on Whittaker, he didn’t know Chimaev was out till the UFC knowledgeable him the battle was off.
“Mate, after I knew it wasn’t occurring (is after I discovered). There weren’t any rumors or something,” Whittaker stated to BJPENN.com from Dubai on Friday. “It was simply that Khamzat is out, after which what’s happening now?”
As soon as Whittaker acquired the information, he stated it was disappointing as he spent months engaged on a particular gameplan for Chimaev. He additionally was extraordinarily assured he would get his hand raised and hand Chimaev his first loss.
“It was a little bit irritating, I spent like three months working a really particular gameplan for a really particular opponent, clearly Chimaev doesn’t battle like lots of people, I actually tailor-made the battle camp to that combating fashion. I’m nonetheless match, I’m nonetheless razor sharp,” Whittaker stated.
“I flew out right here and I perceive I’m the principle occasion of the cardboard that comes with a degree of duty, it’s how I earn my dwelling. I needed to battle, I needed the present to go on, and I needed to do my job, so hats off to Ikram for taking the battle, and to the UFC for setting it up, and I look ahead to placing on a present,” Whittaker added.
As soon as Khamzat Chimaev was off of UFC Saudi Arabia, Robert Whittaker says there wasn’t a considered not combating. Though Whittaker is going through an unranked opponent, the Aussie stated he needed to be part of UFC Saudi Arabia so advised the UFC to search out him an opponent.
“Mate, there was no thought to not battle. That’s my job, that’s what I flew internationally to do, and that’s how I put bread on the desk for my household. I perceive I’m the principle occasion, lots of eyes. It’s the primary card in Saudi Arabia, so I need to be part of that,” Whittaker added.
Finally, the UFC was capable of get Robert Whittaker a battle towards Ikram Aliskerov. Nevertheless, the previous champ says there weren’t many choices as a few fighters turned it down because of the brief discover.
“There weren’t lots of names thrown round, no one would take it, it was too brief discover. I perceive the extent of hazard Ikram brings in. He’s a man coming in final minute, he was combating this weekend, so he’s prepared, he has nothing to lose, every part to achieve, and he has a harmful skillset,” Whittaker concluded.