'He's a tough guy'- Former UFC champion looking forward to fighting undefeated Khamzat Chimaev

Pulse Sports Team 13:15 - 14 June 2022

Former UFC Champion Robert Whittaker says he is unfazed by the daunting challenge of Khamzat Chiamev.

UFC middleweight fighter Robert Whittaker has revealed that he is open to a possible fight against Swedish powerhouse Khamzat Chimaev. While speaking after UFC 275, Whittaker said he is open to a potential fight with the undefeated Chimaev.

Although Chimaev is currently a top welterweight contender, he’s fought at middleweight multiple times. Having outlasted Olympic silver medalist wrestler Yoel Romero twice, Whittaker is confident that he’d be able to stop Chimaev’s grappling if they fought.

“It would be tricky, I’d be firing those kicks down the middle like you would not believe. I don’t think my right foot would touch the mat” Whittaker said.

The Kiwi fighter’s confidence is admirable, as not many people would want to face Chimaev, who is currently on a five-fight unbeaten streak. Typically an elite striker, Whittaker believes he has what it takes to stop Chimaev, who is renowned for his wrestling in the octagon.

“He’s a tough guy but I’ve fought wrestlers before. I fought Yoel Romero, who’s a silver medalist although he’s not got that sort of grappling game, that’s something I really haven’t thought about. I have to try and digest when we get there.” Whittaker said.

As things stand, Whittaker is in no position to make call-outs, especially after losing his much-hyped rematch with Israel Adesanya. In the meantime, Whittaker is planning to face fellow Adesanya victim Marvin Vettori at UFC Fight Night in September in Paris.

Khamzat Chimaev has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the UFC, and at the moment, he is pushing for a fight with Nigerian fighter Kamaru Usman. Many of his critics pointed out that although he has dominated most of his fights he had not faced any elite fighter in the franchise, something he has since changed since defeating former UFC champion Gilbert Burns at UFC 273.

With just one more win away from a possible title shot against Usman, Chimaev is more likely to face either Nate Diaz or fellow wildcard Belal Muhammad.