Fight Preview

The number one contender fight for the UFC Middleweight Championship is all set and ready in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between number 3 ranked Robert Whittaker and undefeated number 10 ranked Khamzat Chimaev.

The winner of this main event may get an opportunity for a title fight. Whittaker has secured 2 wins in his last three fights, both via decision. Robert Whittaker has more experience in the UFC than Khamzat Chimaev; his total UFC fights are 21, whereas Chimaev has fought 7 times in the UFC.

Robert Whittaker:Previous Bouts and results

Robert Whittaker vs. Dricus Du Plessis (June 2023)

In the early of the first 2 minutes, Whittaker landed a nice outside leg kick, then went for the double leg and took Du Plessis down. Du Plessis also landed a beautiful straight right hand to Whittaker’s face. In the final minute of the round, Du Plessis executed a headlock, achieved a beautiful takedown, took the fight to the ground, and landed two solid elbows that cut Whittaker’s face near his right eye.

The judges scored the first round as follows:

– Mike Bell: 9-10 (Dricus Du Plessis)

– Sal D’Amato: 9-10 (Dricus Du Plessis)

– Chris Lee: 9-10 (Dricus Du Plessis)

In the second round, Whittaker responded well with a right kick combination to Du Plessis’s head. In the third minute of the fight, Du Plessis landed a clean straight right hand that stunned Whittaker. Du Plessis capitalized on the moment with a body shot, dropping Whittaker to finish the fight with a KO victory.

Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa (February 2024)

Early in the first round, Costa landed two head kicks, but Whittaker didn’t back down and landed a right-hand punch in the third minute that hurt Costa. Whittaker constantly attacked Costa’s left leg with low kicks, causing damage. At the end of the round, Paulo Costa landed a perfect spinning heel kick that almost knocked out Whittaker, but he was saved by the bell.

The judges scored the first round as follows:

– Ron McCarthy: 9-10 (Paulo Costa)

– Eliot Kelly: 9-10 (Paulo Costa)

– Mike Bell: 10-9 (Robert Whittaker)

In the second round, Costa attempted another head kick, but Whittaker blocked it. Whittaker landed a perfect low kick in the second minute of the round, and Costa countered with a beautiful jab to Whittaker’s face. An official timeout was called due to Costa’s accidental eye poke on Whittaker. Whittaker then landed a perfect two-punch combination to Costa’s face, which slowed Costa down. The clean and perfect punches, along with constant low kicks, caused Costa to struggle on his left leg. The second round was dominated by Whittaker.

The judges scored the second round as follows:

– Ron McCarthy: 10-9 (Robert Whittaker)

– Eliot Kelly: 10-9 (Robert Whittaker)

– Mike Bell: 10-9 (Robert Whittaker)

In the third round, Paulo landed a few low kicks to Whittaker’s left leg, but Whittaker countered with jabs and punches to Costa’s face. Rob slowed down a little in round three, and Costa showed good body language. With only 90 seconds left in the fight, Costa tried a spinning heel kick, but there was no connection. In the final minute, Whittaker remained composed, landed more shots on Costa, and appeared fresh in the last 30 seconds, securing the third round as well.

The judges scored the third round as follows:

– Ron McCarthy: 10-9 (Robert Whittaker)

– Eliot Kelly: 10-9 (Robert Whittaker)

– Mike Bell: 10-9 (Robert Whittaker)

Overall Scorecard :

– Ron McCarthy: 29-28 (Robert Whittaker)

– Eliot Kelly: 29-28 (Robert Whittaker)

– Mike Bell: 30-27 (Robert Whittaker)

Robert Whittaker won by Unanimous Decision.

Khamzat Chimaev : Previous bout and records

 Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kevin Holland (September 2022)

This bout took place in 2022 at UFC 279. Immediately as the round started, Chimaev executed a fast takedown and brought Holland to the ground. Holland tried to defend against Chimaev, and the crowd chanted “USA, USA,” but Chimaev’s pace was incredible. In the second minute of the fight, Chimaev, though breathing heavily, locked Holland in a D’Arce choke. Holland tried his best to escape, but the choke was very tight, and Chimaev applied all his energy to it, securing a submission win in the first round.

 Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kamaru Usman (October 2024)

In this match, Kamaru Usman took the fight on just 9 days’ notice, replacing Paulo Costa.

Round 1:

In the early minutes, Chimaev attempted a single-leg takedown, but Usman defended it well. However, Chimaev persisted and achieved two takedowns in the first minute—these were the first two successful takedowns against Usman in his 18 UFC fights. Chimaev maintained full back control in the second and third minutes, attempting chokes, but Usman defended well. Chimaev controlled Usman throughout the first round.

1st round scorecard:

– Derek Cleary: 8-10 (Khamzat Chimaev)

– David Lethaby: 8-10 (Khamzat Chimaev)

– Vito Paolillo: 8-10 (Khamzat Chimaev)

Round 2:

In the first minute of the second round, both fighters switched stances and changed levels without landing any strikes. In the second and third minutes, the crowd started booing due to the lack of high-level strikes from both Chimaev and Usman. Chimaev moved slowly, and the pace of the fight was unusual compared to his previous matches. In the fourth minute, Usman landed a good punch to Chimaev’s face and followed up with nice calf kicks. Chimaev executed a double-leg takedown in the final minute, but Usman handled it well. Overall, the second round was very slow, and Chimaev appeared to lose energy and look tired.

2nd round scorecard:

– Derek Cleary: 10-9 (Kamaru Usman)

– David Lethaby: 10-9 (Kamaru Usman)

– Vito Paolillo: 9-10 (Khamzat Chimaev)

Round 3:

At the beginning of the third round, Chimaev attempted a takedown, but Usman escaped. In the second minute, Usman landed a punch, but Chimaev countered with a right-hand punch. Usman steadily attacked Chimaev with his striking, and Chimaev struggled in the second minute. Midway through the round, Chimaev succeeded in a double-leg takedown and maintained ground control for 2 minutes. In the last 5 seconds, both fighters threw punches at each other, but none landed effectively.

3rd round scorecard:

– Derek Cleary: 9-10 (Khamzat Chimaev)

– David Lethaby: 10-9 (Kamaru Usman)

– Vito Paolillo: 10-9 (Kamaru Usman)

Overall, Chimaev’s ground control and wrestling secured a victory by majority decision.

Overall scorecard:

– Derek Cleary: 27-29 (Khamzat Chimaev)

– David Lethaby: 28-28 (Draw)

– Vito Paolillo: 27-29 (Khamzat Chimaev)

Result: Khamzat Chimaev won by Majority Decision.

Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev : Who will win?

Whittaker is very strong in striking, while Chimaev is a top-level wrestler, so it will be interesting to see how the fight unfolds—whether it will be on the feet or on the ground. Chimaev has two additional tools in this bout: submission skills and takedowns, which will be crucial for Whittaker to defend.

However, Chimaev’s stamina was not up to the mark in his last fight against Kamaru Usman and he may struggle in the 4th and 5th rounds. Whittaker will likely try to extend the fight to 5 rounds to exploit Chimaev’s lack of endurance.

My prediction is Khamzat Chimaev by submission.

Stats and ranking as on 22.June, 2024

Robert WhittakerStatsKhamzat Chimaev

Win(2024), Lost(2023), Win (2022)
Last 3 boutsWin (2023),Win (2022), Win (2022)

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Smeaton Grange
TeamAllstars Training Center

3
UFC ranking10

–
Pound for Pound ranking–

76.1 %
Win percentage100%

5
Fight of the Night1

3
Performance of the Night4

04:56:22
Total time in UFC00:45:07

5/2

First round win/loss		8/0

8/2
Second round win/loss3/0

8/1
Third  round win/loss2/0

0/0
Fourth  round win/loss0/0

4/2
Fifth  round win/loss0/0