Robert Whittaker is ready to test Khamzat Chimaev to his limits.
Last month, UFC CEO Dana White revealed that Whittaker would take on Chimaev in the main event of the company’s inaugural show in Saudi Arabia.
Wile speaking to former UFC champion Demetrious Johnson, Whittaer believes that his striking advantage should be able to overcome Khamzat’s relentless wrestling prowess.
“I’m gonna go in there with the speed advantage and striking advantage. [Khamzat] can force the wrestling on people, and I think it’s going to be a little harder to force the wrestling on me.
[Khamzat goes out there with undoubted confidence. That makes a very dangerous recipe… but if it gets shaken then you don’t know which way the cards are gonna fall. ”
“I’m looking forward to testing that, to see how big the hype is.”
Ahead of the fight, Whittaker shared his excitement and hopes to make another title run with a win vs Chimaev.
“I cannot wait. I understand he’s a hard fighter, he likes to grapple a lot, he uses his reach and range… he’s got knockout power.
He like to play the villain against these guys, but he’s an honourable fighter. We’re gonna get in there and we’re gonna have an honest fight. He’s not a quitter, I’m not a quitter.
I look forward to making history in Saudi Arabia.”
As of now, Whittaker is a slight +140 underdog to Chimaev on most sportsbooks.