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Robert Whittaker is able to reclaim the middleweight title.
On Wednesday, UFC CEO Dana White announced a slew of fights for the promotion’s debut occasion in Saudi Arabia, together with a middleweight major occasion between Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev. And based on Whittaker, this combat isn’t just a major occasion, however a title eliminator bout.
“It’s going to be a contender combat, five-round major occasion,” Whittaker mentioned on the MMArcade podcast. “I do perceive the duty at hand. It’s going to be exhausting. I’m going to be grinding my ass off this camp. I’m trying ahead to it. It’s an excellent factor, after final combat I didn’t have any accidents. The physique is nice. They supplied me the combat. I fought 4 or 5 weeks in the past at this level, I’m prepared. Simply give me one other one.
“I’m in an incredible headspace to take one other exhausting combat. I’m trying ahead to it. Each exhausting combat pushes my expertise to the following stage, and this will get me in line to get the belt again. That’s the aim, isn’t it?”
The previous undisputed UFC middleweight champion, Whittaker misplaced his title to Israel Adesanya again in 2019 after which got here up brief of their rematch in 2022. Most lately, Whittaker took a unanimous determination victory over Paulo Costa at UFC 298, placing himself again within the title dialog. Nevertheless, even Whittaker was shocked by this flip of occasions, as he says he was anticipating returning at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia.
“Clearly it’s a little bit of a shock as a result of it comes out of nowhere,” Whittaker mentioned. “I might have assumed UFC was going to carry me within the ranks for the Australia card in August, which is form of what I used to be making ready for. However I’m glad UFC have given me this boon. That is my path to the title. That is the way in which I earn cash for my children. To have the ability to try this so shut — like I’ve mentioned in different episodes, I wish to improve my exercise. God prepared and my physique’s wholesome, there’s no purpose I shouldn’t take this combat. What else am I going to be doing?
“Additionally, the truth that the combat is in Saudi Arabia, that’s the primary time the UFC has been there. So I’m pumped to be a part of that historical past. I’ve completed that a couple of occasions now, and all of it will get notched into my legacy. So I’ve route now. I’ve vitality, momentum.”
Whereas Whittaker has some momentum now, so does Chimaev.
“Borz” established himself as a budding star within the UFC when he fought 3 times in two months again in 2020, and since then he’s added 4 extra wins to his UFC résumé. Most lately, Chimaev received a majority determination over Kamaru Usman at UFC 294, placing himself on the cusp of title competition. And on prime of the title implications, that run of success within the UFC is why Whittaker is so excited for this combat.
“I perceive he’s a tough fighter,” Whittaker mentioned. “He likes to grapple so much. He makes use of his attain and vary to good effectiveness. He’s obtained knockout energy. However actually, he likes to play the villain towards his opponents, however he’s an honorable fighter. We’re going to get in there and have an sincere combat. We’re each going to depart it in there. He’s not a quitter, I’m not a quitter. So I’m trying ahead to essentially making historical past in Saudi Arabia.”
UFC Saudi Arabia takes place on June 22 at Kingdom Enviornment in Riyadh.
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