June 23, (THEWILL) – Former UFC middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker, delivered a stunning performance at the UFC Fight Night event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia early on Sunday. The New Zealand-born fighter knocked out Ikram Aliskerov of Russia in the first round, solidifying his position as a top contender in the division.
Whittaker, who accepted the fight after Khamzat Chimaev withdrew due to illness, demonstrated his exceptional skills against the rising Russian star. The bout, which took place at the Kingdom Arena, saw Whittaker wobble Aliskerov with a powerful right hand before finishing him with a devastating uppercut that sent his opponent to the canvas.
The victory improved Whittaker’s professional record to 26-7 and halted Aliskerov’s impressive seven-fight winning streak. This win is particularly significant for Whittaker, as it proves he remains a formidable force in the middleweight division despite losing his championship belt.
Since 2014, Whittaker has only suffered defeats at the hands of current UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis and former champion Israel Adesanya. His ability to consistently perform at the highest level sets him apart from many former champions who struggle to maintain their form after losing their titles.
Looking ahead, Whittaker’s options appear promising. He could potentially pursue a rematch against du Plessis for the title or face off against another former champion, Sean Strickland. Alternatively, the UFC might use Whittaker as a litmus test for up-and-coming fighters in the middleweight division.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
