Robert Whittaker’s got this vibe, you know? He’s all in on believing he can tangle with Khamzat Chimaev on the mat. And hey, why not? Confidence is key.
Oh, and there’s this big showdown coming. It’s happening at UFC Saudi Arabia on June 22. Whittaker vs. Chimaev. Sounds epic, right?
“Bobby Knuckles” is his nickname, which is pretty cool if you ask me. He’s planning to keep the fight standing. But, he’s not sweating the grappling with “Borz.”
He told ESPN Australia, “It’s about pushing my game plan onto him.” He’s convinced he’s got the skills Chimaev hasn’t seen yet. Whittaker’s strategy? Stand and deliver, but be ready to wrestle if it comes to that.
Chimaev, on the other hand, has been dominating on the ground in the UFC. But, he faced tougher times against guys like Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman.
Whittaker’s proud of his takedown defense. It’s one of the best, sitting at 82%. He’s faced top grapplers before and stood his ground.
He respects Chimaev’s jiu-jitsu and wrestling combo. Whittaker admits it’s a unique blend, especially against the cage. But he’s been grappling forever and feels ready for anything.
Just a bit ago, Whittaker clinched a win against Paulo Costa at UFC 298. As for Chimaev, his last fight was a victory over Usman at UFC 294 in October 2023.
So, there you have it. A clash of titans is on the horizon. Whittaker’s ready to rumble, and Chimaev’s looking to keep his streak. Who’s your money on?