Robert Whittaker didn’t anticipate his upcoming match up.
Final Combating Championship (UFC) CEO, Dana White, introduced UFC Saudi Arabia’s foremost card late final night time (Weds., March 27, 2024). The Middleweights take heart stage within the nation’s debut occasion for the promotion, because the No. 3-ranked Whittaker battles the undefeated 13-0 famous person, No. 11-ranked Khamzat Chimaev, in the principle occasion on June 22, 2024.
The previous champion, Whittaker, thought he’d go in a unique course — as did Chimaev — after UFC just lately introduced it might return to Australia two months after UFC Saudi Arabia. Regardless, the chance remains to be an exhilarating one for “The Reaper.”
“Clearly it’s a little bit of a shock as a result of it comes out of nowhere,” Whittaker mentioned on his MMArcade podcast (h/t MMA Combating). “I’d have assumed UFC was going to carry me within the ranks for the Australia card in August, which is sort of what I used to be getting ready for. However I’m completely satisfied UFC have given me this boon. That is my path to the title. That is the way in which I earn cash for my children. To have the ability to try this so shut — like I’ve mentioned in different episodes, I need to enhance my exercise. God keen and my physique’s wholesome, there’s no motive I shouldn’t take this combat. What else am I going to be doing?
“Additionally, the truth that the combat is in Saudi Arabia, that’s the primary time the UFC has been there,” he continued. “So I’m pumped to be a part of that historical past. I’ve executed that a couple of occasions now, and all of it will get notched into my legacy. So I’ve course now. I’ve vitality, momentum.”
The stakes shall be excessive for every fighter with title aspirations on the road. Whittaker, 33, rebounded with a unanimous resolution victory over Paulo Costa at UFC 298 final month (Feb. 17, 2024). In the meantime, Chimaev earned a hard-fought majority resolution over the previous Welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, at UFC 294 in October 2024. Chimaev’s bout was billed as a No. 1 contender combat, however plans modified as Dricus Du Plessis finally fought the then-champion, Sean Strickland, at UFC 297 in January 2024.
“It’s going to be a contender combat, five-round foremost occasion,” Whittaker mentioned. “I do perceive the duty at hand. It’s going to be onerous. I’m going to be grinding my ass off this camp. I’m wanting ahead to it. It’s an excellent factor, after final combat, I didn’t have any accidents. The physique is nice. They supplied me the combat. I fought 4 or 5 weeks in the past at this level, I’m prepared. Simply give me one other one.
“I’m in a fantastic headspace to take one other onerous combat,” he concluded. “I’m wanting ahead to it. Each onerous combat pushes my abilities to the following stage, and this will get me in line to get the belt again. That’s the purpose, isn’t it?”
