‘Throw him out’: UFC star tells Aussie comedian to ‘f*** off’ in fiery press conference

An Aussie comedian had the perfect reply when he got under the skin of the man fighting Rob Whittaker in fiery scenes ahead of UFC 308.

Matthew Sullivan

4 min read

October 25, 2024 - 1:45PM

An Aussie comedian and radio host might be running scared this weekend after goading UFC superstar Khamzat Chimaev at a press conference ahead of UFC 308.

Chimaev is taking on Australia’s Rob Whittaker in the co-main event UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi on Sunday morning (AEDT).

UFC 308: TOPURIA VS HOLLOWAY plus Australia’s Rob Whittaker taking on undefeated Khamzat Chimaev | SUN 27 OCT 5AM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports. Main Event on Kayo Sports and Foxtel is the exclusive home of UFC Pay-Per-View.

The Russian Dagestani fighter is a UFC bogeyman and is undefeated (13-0) in MMA, while Whittaker (27-7) is looking for a third victory of the year after wins against Paulo Costa and Ikram Aliskerov.

The winner will aim to leapfrog Sean Strickland in the middleweight pecking order and get a shot at champion Dricus du Plessis, possibly at UFC 312 in Sydney in February.

Aussie comedian and radio host Nick Cody, who co-hosts Fox FM’s Fifi, Fev & Nick show, angered Chimaev when he asked a question on behalf of Kayo Sports at the official press conference.

Cody asked Whittaker: “As always, you’ve got the entire country behind you. But Saturday night here is 5am Sunday morning in Sydney and Melbourne. That’s when the main card kicks off.

“What would you recommend to the people, go to bed early and set an alarm or just push through, send it, and have a big party when Whittaker gets the W?”

Watch the full UFC press conference exchange in the video above

A Russian UFC star was not happy with Nick Cody.

The question infuriated Chimaev, who chimed in: “It will be a bad morning for you guys … F*** off, man!

Cody replied: “I didn’t ask you.”

Whittaker was in stitches and said: “Tuck yourself in early. Wake up. It’s gonna be a cracker. I won’t keep you waiting.”

Still fuming, Chimaev added: “Abu Dhabi fans, my Muslim brothers, take out this s***. Throw him out.

“Get back to Australia. I’m coming to your home, man.”

Whittaker, who became Australia’s first UFC champion back in 2017, is hoping for another title shot on home soil if he beats Chimaev.

Whittaker is prepared to go the full five rounds or 25 minutes, to which Khimaev said: “I don’t think we’ll need 25.

“I’m here to finish somebody. I’m here to fight, man.

“Maybe (he) come here and jump around like a kangaroo, I don’t know.

“I’m here for a fight.

“And first to last, I’ll try to finish the guy.”

Rob Whittaker wants another shot at the UFC title. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

The results at UFC 308 could dictate whether Aussie fans get to see both Whittaker and Alex Volkanovski fight for belts in Sydney at UFC 312.

Ilia Topuria is defending his UFC featherweight crown first for the first time against Max Holloway, who has never been knocked out in UFC.

Volkanovski, who is in Abu Dhabi and will be cageside for the fights, told news.com.au there is more of a chance of him fighting in Sydney next year if Holloway beats Topuria.

“They’re both great fighters I would have to lean towards Max,” Volkanovski said.

“I think he’s a little bit more seasoned and he’s proved himself a lot more, so I’ll go with him for now.”

Volkanovski has fought and beaten Holloway via decision three times, and he could face the American a fourth time — which is extremely rare in UFC.

There has only been one quadrilogy in UFC history, with former flyweight champion Brandon Moreno fighting Deiveson Figueiredo four times.

The Aussie wants to fight Topuria to reclaim his featherweight belt, but believes Holloway is more likely to be willing to fight in Sydney.

“Out of the two, if I had to pick it would be Ilia because I want that belt back, but I’m not sure he fights in Sydney.” Volkanovski said.

“If Max wins, I think I’ve got more of a chance of fighting in Sydney. It’s a tricky one. The one I want more is Ilia but I definitely want to fight in Sydney.

Max Holloway (left) is fighting Ilia Topuria for the featherweight belt. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, NSW Premier Chris Minns has told Fox Sports the state government is prepared to hold a fight card in a Sydney stadium.

UFC 312 on February 9 is scheduled for Qudos Bank Arena, which has half the capacity of Allianz Stadium or CommBank Stadium but is an indoor venue, which the UFC prefers.

“We can do it, we’d love to do it and the UFC have also told us previously that you never say never,” Mr Minns said.

UFC 308 FIGHT CARD

Featherweight – Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway

Middleweight – Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev

Featherweight – Lerone Murphy vs. Dan Ige

Light Heavyweight – Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakić

Middleweight – Sharabutdin Magomedov vs. Armen Petrosyan

Preliminary card

Light Heavyweight – Ibo Aslan vs. Raffael Cerqueira

Welterweight – Geoff Neal vs. Rafael dos Anjos

Lightweight – Mateusz Rębecki vs. Myktybek Orolbai

Middleweight – Abusupiyan Magomedov vs. Brunno Ferreira