Robert Whittaker scores stunning first round knockout to derail UFC hype-train

Robert Whittaker could be in line for a title shot after scoring his first knockout win since 2017 in an emotional main event in Saudi Arabia.

Robert Whittaker could be in line for another middleweight title shot after scoring a stunning first round knockout win over much-hyped rising star Ikram Aliskerov in Saudi Arabia.

Whittaker took just 98 seconds to rattle Aliskerov with an overhand right, before stopping him moments later with a powerful uppercut.

The unbridled emotion he unleashed in celebrating his first stoppage win since 2017 told how much it meant to him.

The Sydneysider unleashed a primal scream as ringside medicos attended to Aliskerov, who had stepped in on late notice nine days ago after Khamzat Chimaev pulled out injured.

Despite having just two UFC fights to his name, Aliskerov – who trains with Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov – was considered a live underdog by many.

Pure emotion from Whittaker. Picture: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

But Whittaker wound back the clock and showed the difference in class as he derailed the Aliskerov hype train.

“I told everybody, I’m the boogeyman,” he said afterwards. “I’m the best in the world and I’m the most dangerous match-up for anyone in the division.

“I’m the best in the world. The most dangerous middleweight in the world. I’ll take a fight anywhere, anytime. I’ve proved it time and again. I’ll take on anyone.

“I told everybody in the lead up I’ll lean on my experience. That’s what it was. I’ve been in this position 100 times, I said I was going to be the hunter and that’s what I did.”

The victory is Whittaker’s second this year after suffering a shock second round defeat to current middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis last July.

ROBERT WHITTAKER KNCOKS OUT ALISKEROV EARLY IN ROUND 1 #UFCSaudiArabiapic.twitter.com/8WdNDqoYu4

— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) June 22, 2024

Du Plessis will make his first defence of the middleweight title against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in Perth in August.

Whittaker’s originally scheduled fight with Chimaev was slated as a title eliminator, with the winner taking on the UFC 305 victor. It’s unclear whether the hastily made bout with Aliskerov would also be a number one contender bout, but Whittaker - who was sick when he fought du Plessis - wants a rematch with.

“I’m not saying if I was on I’d have beaten him,” Whittaker said of du Plessis at his post-fight presser in Saudi Arabia. “I’m not going to take that away from him. He turned up on the night and beat me fair and square and now he’s the world champion because of it.

“He’s a good fighter and he’s good at what he does.

“But I know I can do better. Will I beat him? Maybe he gets his hand raised again, but I know I can do better.

“I didn’t put my best foot forward in that fight and I want to run it back because of that.”

Whittaker should face either Dricus du Plessis or Israel Adesanya next. Picture: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

‘The Reaper’ could hardly have put in a more impressive performance, and should be the number one contender once du Plessis defends the belt against Israel Adesanya in Perth at UFC 305 in August.

Whittaker told this masthead last week that he believes du Plessis beats Adesanya, but says the South African and the Kiwi are both on his hitlist.

“I think Dricus has a really strong fight approach to beating Izzy – I’m gonna back him winning this contest,” Whittaker said. “Stylistically, he matches well against Izzy’s style.

“That forward pressure, that awkward pressure, is just going to be too much. Especially after what Sean Strickland did to him.”

He even hinted he’d be willing to act as a back-up fighter in Perth if necessary.

“I’m healthy, I’m hardy,” he told Daniel Cormier in the cage in Riyadh. “Let’s go.”

UFC president Dana White had nothing but praise for Whittaker and said he’d be open to him either fighting at UFC 305, or acting as a back-up.

“I’m not kidding, nobody in the top 15 wanted to take this guy (Aliskerov),” White said. “Whittaker made it look easy tonight. He looked like a stud.

“We’d love to have him (in Perth).

“Robert Whittaker is a bad dude. Nobody in the top 15 wanted to fight him. Whittaker took him on short notice and did what he did. He looked incredible tonight.”

Originally published as Robert Whittaker scores stunning first round knockout to derail UFC hype-train