Whittaker Makes Statement in Saudi Arabia, Middleweight Options Abound

 

Whittaker Makes Statement in Saudi Arabia, Middleweight Options Abound

Robert Whittaker delivered a dominant performance at UFC Saudi Arabia, silencing any doubts about his place among the middleweight elite. Stepping in on short notice for the injured Khamzat Chimaev, Ikram Aliskerov found himself overwhelmed by Whittaker's striking prowess. 

A well-placed right hand followed by a thunderous uppercut sent Aliskerov crashing to the canvas in the first round, extending Whittaker's record to a commendable 26-7.

This victory underscores Whittaker's consistency. Despite relinquishing his championship title, he's maintained a high level of competition. 

Since 2014, his only losses have come against the current king of the middleweights, Dricus du Plessis, and the former champion, Israel Adesanya. 

 Furthermore, he boasts three wins against top-10 ranked opponents during this period.

With the middleweight division experiencing some recent shifts, Whittaker finds himself with intriguing options. 

While a rematch against du Plessis for the belt remains his ultimate goal, an encounter with fellow former champion Sean Strickland could also be a commercially enticing matchup. 

 Regardless of his next opponent, Whittaker has established himself as a daunting challenge for any middleweight contender the UFC throws his way. 

He's a gatekeeper with knockout power and the experience to match. This decisive victory has undoubtedly reignited his title aspirations and solidified his position as a major force in the middleweight landscape.