Khamzat Chimaev mauls and submits Robert Whittaker in UFC 308 co-main event
The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to us today, October 26, 2024, for UFC 308, going down live from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Headlining the event is a featherweight title bout between current Ilia Topuria (15-0) and no. 2 ranked former champion Max Holloway (26-7).
Co-headlining the event was a five round middleweight affair between no. 3 ranked former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker (26-8) and no. 13 ranked Khamzat Chimaev (14-0).
Whittaker came into this evening’s co-main event on a two-fight win streak showcasing victories over the likes of former title challenger Paulo Costa (UD) and Ikram Aliskerov (KO), going 14-3 overall since moving up to 185 lbs in 2014, only losing to former champion Israel Adesanya (KO, UD) and current champion Dricus du Plessis (KO) in that time.
Chimaev on the other hand had gone a perfect 6-0 inside his promotional tenure to date including a 4-0 run up at middleweight with wins over John Phillips (D’Arce choke), Gerald Meerschaert (KO), Kevin Holland (D’Arce choke), and former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman (MD).
Continue reading to see how our UFC 308 co-main event of the evening went down:
Official Result: Khamzat Chimaev def. Robert Whittaker via submission (neck crank) at 3:34 of round one
Chimaev shot in on a perfectly timed and executed takedown early on in the bout, as many of us predicted he would, partially taking the back of the former champion along the cage.
Whittaker initially defended well on the mat, but lost each scramble as he was trying to escape. Chimaev didn’t go crazy with ground and pound as he usually does, but was rather patient in his attack, only striking in opportune moments.
Chimaev then went for the rear naked choke, Whittaker immediately tapping to the pain as it appears he had his jaw dislocated.
KHAMZAT CHIMAEV SUBMITES ROBERT WHITTAKER IN THE FIRST ROUND!!!!!!! OH MY GODDD!!!#UFC308 #UFC #MMApic.twitter.com/qtqzeLgajh
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 26, 2024
It is truly remarkable what Khamzat Chimaev just did to one of the best middleweights this sport has ever seen. Should he skip no. 1 ranked former champion Sean Strickland and get the next crack at UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis?
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