UFC 308 Co-Main: Middleweight Clash Khamzat Chimaev vs Robert Whittaker

Fight date/time:

 Date: October 26, 2024

 Start time: Main card is set to start at 2:00 PM ET (Eastern Time) / 11:00 AM PT (Pacific Time)

Location:

Abu Dhabi

Live Streaming:

Fans can watch the fight through ESPN+ on pay-per-view in the US, while those in the UK can stream it on TNT Sports or Discovery+ Premium​(MMA Facts).

Fighter Profiles:

• Khamzat Chimaev (13-0) is an undefeated fighter known for his aggressive style, boasting six wins by knockout and five by submission. Despite his perfect record, injuries and illness have led to periods of inactivity. His most recent win was against former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, further solidifying his reputation as a rising star in the UFC.
• Robert Whittaker (26-7), a former UFC Middleweight Champion, is a seasoned veteran with 10 knockouts and 5 submission victories. Known for his resilience, Whittaker has bounced back from losses to top-tier fighters like Israel Adesanya and Dricus du Plessis, most recently defeating Ikram Aliskerov via knockout. Whittaker has consistently fought top competition and has a clear experience advantage over Chimaev

Betting Odds:

• For UFC 308, Fearsome middleweight contender Khamzat Chimaev will be a -175 favorite over Robert Whittaker (+150 underdog) The betting odds reflect a highly competitive matchup. Chimaev currently has slight favoritism due to his unbeaten record and dominant fighting style, while Whittaker’s experience and proven durability make him a dangerous underdog. As the fight approaches, betting lines are expected to fluctuate based on factors like weigh-ins and fighter performance during the lead-up to the event (Odds Shark)​(Sporting News).

• This fight at UFC 308 promises a clash of styles, with Chimaev’s aggressive grappling and striking meeting Whittaker’s versatile stand-up and experience. Both fighters are aiming for a title shot, making this one of the most anticipated matchups of the year. The fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 is one of the most exciting matchups in the middleweight division. Both fighters bring different strengths to the table, creating a clash of styles that could go either way. Here’s a breakdown of their key attributes, strengths, experience, skillset and potential fight dynamics.

Fighter’s Skillset :

1. Striking:

• Whittaker is a highly skilled striker with years of experience fighting elite competition. His stand-up game is versatile, mixing in fast jabs, heavy right hands, and leg kicks. Whittaker’s ability to strike on the move, paired with his excellent head movement, makes him difficult to hit. He has fought the likes of Israel Adesanya, Yoel Romero, and Darren Till, showcasing elite striking IQ. He has recorded 10 KO/TKO wins in his career.
• Chimaev, while not as experienced in striking as Whittaker, has developed a dangerous and aggressive striking game, evident in his knockout victories. He has heavy hands and moves forward relentlessly, putting his opponents under constant pressure. In particular, Chimaev’s striking serves to set up his powerful grappling. He can quickly turn striking exchanges into clinch situations, which lead to takedowns. Despite not having Whittaker’s technical expertise, Chimaev’s unpredictability makes him dangerous.

2. Grappling:

• Chimaev’s grappling is his strongest weapon. With a background in wrestling, he overwhelms opponents with his relentless pressure, high-level wrestling, and submission game. Once he gets his opponents to the ground, Chimaev is highly effective at controlling them and inflicting damage with ground-and-pound or going for submissions. His dominant performance against fighters like Li Jingliang and Kamaru Usman demonstrated his elite grappling skills.
• Whittaker, while primarily known for his striking, is a very capable grappler. He has solid takedown defense (an 83% takedown defense rate throughout his UFC career), which has helped him against elite wrestlers like Yoel Romero. Whittaker also possesses good scrambling ability and can get back to his feet quickly. However, against someone as persistent as Chimaev, maintaining his defense will be crucial.

Stephen Thompson believes Robert Whittaker is “a very tough fight” for Khamzat Chimaev

Physical Attributes:

1. Physical build up of fighters:

• Khamzat Chimaev stands slightly taller than Robert Whittaker, with a height of 6’2″ compared to Whittaker’s 6’0″ . Chimaev also has a reach advantage, boasting a reach of 75 inches, which is about 1.5 inches longer than Whittaker’s 73.5-inch reach. These dimensions could play a role in Chimaev’s ability to control the distance, particularly in striking exchanges or when looking to close the gap for grappling. His taller frame and longer reach make him adept at overwhelming opponents with his relentless forward pressure. On the other hand, Whittaker’s slightly more compact frame and excellent footwork compensate for his reach disadvantage. Known for his speed and agility, Whittaker uses his movement to avoid getting trapped against the cage and keeps himself in optimal positions to strike. His smaller size could actually benefit him in scrambles, and his quick in-and-out movement could help him avoid takedowns.

2. Cardio and Durability:

• Whittaker is known for his exceptional cardio and durability. His fights often go the distance, and he maintains a high pace without showing significant fatigue. His endurance allows him to keep applying pressure throughout the later rounds, which could be a key advantage if this fight goes into the championship rounds. Whittaker has also shown an incredible chin, having taken significant damage in past fights but continuing to push forward.
• Chimaev is known for his high-pressure style but has yet to be truly tested over five rounds. In his few longer fights, he has shown some signs of slowing down in the later rounds, which could be a factor in a prolonged fight against Whittaker, who thrives in deep waters. However, Chimaev’s aggression could also force an early finish, preventing the fight from going into later rounds.

Experience:

• Whittaker has a clear edge in experience, having fought some of the best fighters in the middleweight division for years. With over 30 professional fights and multiple five-round battles, he is comfortable with the pressure of high-level competition.
• Chimaev, on the other hand, is still relatively new to the UFC. Despite his meteoric rise, he has only 13 professional fights and fewer big-stage experiences compared to Whittaker. This lack of experience could play a role, especially if the fight extends into the later rounds.

Fight Dynamics:

• For Chimaev, the key to victory will likely be his ability to close the distance, secure takedowns, and control Whittaker on the ground. If he can impose his grappling early and avoid Whittaker’s dangerous striking, Chimaev has the tools to either finish the fight via submission or earn a dominant decision.
• Whittaker will aim to keep the fight standing, where he holds the technical striking advantage. He will need to rely on his footwork, takedown defense, and experience to avoid Chimaev’s relentless pressure. If Whittaker can frustrate Chimaev with his movement and avoid the early grappling exchanges, he could outlast him and capitalize as the fight progresses.

Conclusion:

This fight is a classic matchup of an elite striker versus a dangerous grappler. Chimaev’s raw aggression and grappling make him a tough matchup for anyone, but Whittaker’s experience, striking, and durability should not be underestimated. If Whittaker can neutralize Chimaev’s takedown threat and extend the fight into the later rounds, his chances improve significantly. However, if Chimaev can impose his will early, we could see another dominant performance from the rising star.

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