UFC 308: ‘Bad ass’ Robert Whittaker to fight Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi

Robert Whittaker has confirmed his next blockbuster event, with the UFC fighter to finally take on Khamzat Chimaev in Abu Dhabi as he continues his push for the middleweight title.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - JUNE 22: Robert Whittaker of New Zealand reacts after his victory against Ikram Aliskerov of Russia in a middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Kingdom Arena on June 22, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Robert Whittaker is back in action on October 26 at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi in a long-awaited five-round middleweight co-main event against Khamzat Chimaev.

The pair were initially scheduled to fight in June in Saudi Arabia, but Chimaev pulled out through illness just a week before the fight.

In his absence, The Reaper scored a stunning first round knockout win over Ikram Aliskerov.

On the back of a win over Paulo Costa in February, it seemed his impressive performance against Aliskerov should have been enough to book Whittaker the next shot at the middleweight title.

The 33-year-old could have sat out and waited for a title fight. That’s what Sean Strickland - another former middleweight champ - is doing.

But that’s not his style. Whittaker just wants to fight.

So, he’ll make another trip to the Middle East to fight the man known as The Wolf.

Whittaker knocked out Ikram Aliskerov in the first round. Picture: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

“This fight was supposed to take place in June, but Khamzat got ill, and Whittaker – being the bad ass that he is – accepted Aliskerov on short notice,” said UFC president Dana White. “Chimaev is undefeated, 13-0 with 11 finishes and eight of those coming in the very first round.

“He made his debut on Fight Island, fighting twice in 10 days.”

Their first fight was supposed to be a number one contender fight for the 185-pound belt, and the winner of their October clash will be in prime position to fight either Dricus du Plessis or Israel Adesanya.

Du Plessis and Adesanya headline UFC 305 in Perth on August 18, and Whittaker – who has lost to both men – is intent on getting revenge.

“I’d like to get back that loss against Dricus,” Whittaker told this masthead. “I feel I can do better.

“I feel like I’m back on track, I’ve realigned a few things that were out of alignment the fight before last.”

Khamzat Chimaev is a beast. Picture: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

UFC 308 will be headlined by a featherweight title fight between champion Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway.

Topuria is coming off a stunning second round knockout win over Alexander Volkanovski, while Holloway is the ‘BMF’ champion after a ludicrous last-second KO of Justin Gaethje.

Volkanovski will be a keen observer, with the Aussie fan favourite telling this masthead his next featherweight fight will be for a title. In the meantime, he’s willing to consider a lightweight bout to stay busy.

Elsewhere on the card, Cyril Gane takes on Alexander Volkov in fight that could have future heavyweight title implications.

Light-heavyweights Magomed Ankalaev and Aleksandar Rakic also throw down, while Dan Ige and Lerone Murphy meet in a featherweight bout.

Originally published as UFC 308: ‘Bad ass’ Robert Whittaker to fight Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi