UFC Shocker Headliner Swap: Chimaev Out, Aliskerov In!
The Saudi Arabia Event Takes a Wild Turn
Chimaev’s Sudden Exit
Khamzat Chimaev’s big comeback has hit a speed bump. The undefeated fighter, set to headline UFC’s first event in Saudi Arabia on June 22 against former champ Robert Whittaker, is out due to illness. This means Whittaker vs Chimaev fight is not gonna happen, however a new contrincant was alredy set to face Whittaker.
UFC President Dana White confirmed Chimaev is “violently ill,” forcing him to withdraw from the UFC on ABC 6 main event.
Aliskerov Steps Up
Stepping in to fill Chimaev’s shoes is Ikram Aliskerov (15-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC), originally set to face Antonio Trocoli. Aliskerov, whose only loss is to Chimaev, is now gearing up to face Whittaker in a career-defining bout. Aliskerov’s last fight saw him knockout Warlley Alves in the first round, showing he’s ready for the big leagues.
For Aliskerov, it’s been a whirlwind. Just finishing his weight cut, he got the call to fight Whittaker. “I was ready. Fighters live for these moments,” Aliskerov shared. His motto, “Anyone, anywhere, anytime,” truly came to life as he took on this unexpected challenge. Despite the short notice, he believes in his skills and sees this as a chance to shine, which is why he didn’t say no to Whittaker vs Alikskerov on such short notice.
Title Implications?
As Whittaker has a new foe, the former champ knows not to underestimate Aliskerov. “He’s dangerous and could be a tougher fight than Chimaev,” Whittaker said. Aliskerov’s varied skill set poses a unique threat, and Whittaker is preparing meticulously, focusing solely on the task at hand.
Originally, Whittaker vs Chimaev fight was a title eliminator. With Aliskerov now in the mix, it’s unclear if a title shot is still on the line. Whittaker isn’t letting that distract him; he’s focused on his intent to dominate within the octagon.
@ufc Ikram Aliskerov is looking to break into the top 5 👀👊 #ikramaliskerov #ufc #mma ♬ original sound – UFC
Other Fight Night Shifts
The Chimaev news kicked off a rollercoaster for the UFC. Shortly after, UFC 303 lost its headliner as Conor McGregor pulled out due to injury. Alex Pereira vs Jiri Procházka will now top that card.
In a nutshell, despite the chaos, the UFC quickly found a worthy replacement for Chimaev in Aliskerov, who’s ready to seize this golden opportunity. It’ll be an action-packed faceoff as Aliskerov faces Whittaker in Saudi Arabia.
It’s a sudden twist, but in the world of UFC, the unexpected is always part of the game. Stay with us at the Point Spreads UFC betting news front for more on the top dogs!
