Robert Whittaker has options – 3 potential opponents
Robert Whittaker is that dude. He took on Ikram Aliskerov on short notice and knocked him out within a round. The third ranked middleweight showed that he’s still among the divisions elite. Now all eyes point forward to see what kind of fun matchup Whittaker will have next. With Dricus Du Plessis defending his title against Israel Adesany at UFC 305, Whittker is liable to get back in the octagon again before being granted a title shot. Here are his three best options.
Robert Whittaker vs. Sean Strickland: The top option
Timing is a major part of matchmaking. Sometimes fights make sense but one fighter just took a beating and will be out longer than the other fighter wants to be out of the cage. This is not the case with Sean Strickland and Robert Whittaker. Whittaker took hardly any damage in his fight with Ikram Aliskerov last night. Sean Strickland, who fought Paulo Costa at UFC 302 this month, also came out unscathed. The timing here works.
Strickland, however, said that he’s waiting on a title shot, and perhaps rightfully so. But with Du Plessis and Adesanya fighting in August, Strickland might get antsy. The matchup between he and Whittaker is a fun one and has two contrasting styles. Will Strickland’s bare-bones attack be something Whittaker has a problem with?
Five rounds, main event in an arena. This fight is the best option.
Unfinished business: Khamzat Chimaev
Before he was booked for Aliskerov, Robert Whittaker was slated to fight Khamzat Chimaev at UFC Saudi Arabia. A highly anticipated matchup, this one could be rebooked for the future. Chimaev is a massively popular fighter and Whittaker would have an opportunity to put a blemish on his record. Chimaev and Whittaker both have unfinished business with each other and this one is the fan-friendly option.
But for Whittaker, this fight is risky. Chimaev has become sort of a pullout merchant. He doesn’t make weight. He gets sick. He’s very unreliable. The fight should happen on Whittaker’s terms, not Chimaev’s. Nothing outside of a five round fight would be beneficial to Whittaker when it comes to a Chimaev fight.
The backup option: Nassourdine Imavov
Before Aliskerov was tapped to face Robert Whittaker on two weeks notice, it was Nassourdine Imavov who was rumored to step in against Bobby Knuckles. Imavov recently beat Jared Cannonier this month and was in shape. But the short notice nature of the fight wasn’t fair for Imavov.
Circling back to the timing discussion from the Strickland section, the timing may line up perfectly for a Whittaker-Imavov showdown. Imavov is ranked fourth in the division and Whittaker is at five. Put this one in Perth for UFC 305 as a backup option in case Adesanya or Du Plessis are forced out of the fight. Adesanya pulls out, throw Whittaker back to Du Plessis. Adesanya-Imavov is the move the other way around.
