Robert Whittaker added another one to the highlight reel on Saturday.
“The Reaper” closed out the UFC’s first visit to Saudi Arabia in style, needing less than two minutes to put away short-notice opponent Ikram Aliskerov with a furious sequence of knockout punches. It was an impressive performance by the former middleweight champion, who made an emphatic statement that he deserves another shot at UFC gold.
Originally, Whittaker was scheduled to fight Khamzat Chimaev in Saturday’s main event, but the undefeated Chimaev was forced to withdraw due to an illness. Aliskerov stepped in for Chimaev and was considered a serious threat to Whittaker as he entered their contest on a seven-fight win streak.
However, it was the far more experienced Whittaker that emerged victorious, adding Aliskerov to a list of recent wins that also includes ranked opponents Paulo Costa and Marvin Vettori.
Watch UFC Saudi Arabia main event highlights below.
HISTORY IS UPON US! ⌛
Five rounds of action for our first-ever #UFCSaudiArabia main event! @RobWhittakerMMA, @Ikram_Aliskerov, WHO YOU GOT!?@RiyadhSeason | #UFCSaudiArabia | #RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/Vu7s9JgN3K
— UFC_Asia (@UFC_Asia) June 22, 2024
BRUTAL UPPERCUT FROM WHITTAKER #UFCSAUDIARABIA pic.twitter.com/CVzYC7Diq8
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) June 22, 2024
NEVER COUNT OUT THE REAPER!
Robert Whittaker just KNOCKED OUT Ikram Aliskerov in the FIRST ROUND! #UFCSaudiArabia | LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/jjD4wIZkd5
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) June 22, 2024
THE REAPER LASHES OUT IN FURY.
WHITTAKER SHUTS DOWN ALISKEROV IN RD 1.
[ #UFCSaudiArabia | @RiyadhSeason | #RiyadhSeason ] pic.twitter.com/slK160cwgG
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) June 22, 2024
“I’m the boogeyman.”
We might have a new nickname loading for @RobWhittakerMMA #UFCSaudiArabia | #RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/jR3zP3xxfX
— UFC (@ufc) June 22, 2024
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