Morning Report: Robert Whittaker hadn’t heard of Ikram Aliskerov before UFC Saudi Arabia switch

Robert Whittaker is rolling with the punches.

This weekend, Whittaker was speculated to face Khamzat Chimaev in the principle occasion of UFC Saudi Arabia; nonetheless, this previous Thursday, Chimaev withdrew from the card due to illness, and up-and-coming middleweight contender Ikram Aliskerov has stepped in to interchange him. It’s an enormous change for Whittaker, who goes from combating one of the crucial fashionable fighters within the division, to somebody he didn’t even learn about till he received the decision.

“I had a fairly Chimaev-ready sport plan,” Whittaker advised New York Post Sports. “Chimaev’s a fairly distinctive fighter and fights a novel approach, so I had a sport plan I’d labored for months main into that. However Ikram brings a unique risk to the desk. I hadn’t heard of him or seen him battle earlier than that. Typically you’ve received to simply take issues as they arrive. I’ve full religion in my skillset and my skill.”

It’s not unreasonable that Whittaker had by no means heard of Aliskerov because the highly-touted up-and-comer solely made his UFC debut final yr. However in that point, he’s scored back-to-back first-round knockout wins, making some view him because the darkish horse contender at 185 kilos. However Whittaker isn’t too apprehensive.

“He’s alright. I’ve watched some tape,” Whittaker stated of Aliskerov. “There’s not plenty of tape on the market on him. There’s not an excessive amount of, to be trustworthy…

“My skillset adapts fairly nicely to plenty of completely different fighters. I jumped into the health club that day and labored on completely different angles and issues that I can work on. Kind of simply strengthen my very own skillset, maintain sharpening my very own weapons.

“My sport plan for Chimaev was comparable as nicely. I throw out my sport plan and dictate the tempo and management the battle in a approach that they’ve to fret about what I’m going to deliver to the desk.”

However the query is, ought to Whittaker have even accepted this battle? The previous middleweight champion goes from what a title eliminator matchup, to a tough battle in opposition to a relative unknown. It’s an enormous danger for “Bobby Knuckles” however one he says he by no means even thought-about passing on.

“That is what I do for a dwelling,” Whittaker stated. “That’s the upshot. I get to do what I’m good at and earn a good dwelling off it. I get to place meals on the desk for my household. That’s the upshot. That is what I used to be born to do and I’m going to do it…

“I’ve received to win this after which we’ll fear about every thing after. That’s how I’ve approached every thing. Even with the Chimaev battle, it was nearly profitable the battle. Profitable opens doorways. Regardless of the way you win, irrespective of who you beat, it opens doorways for you. That’s the character of the sport.”

UFC Saudi Arabia takes place this Saturday at Kingdom Area in Riyadh.

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Outcomes. Tatsuro Taira beat Alex Perez in the principle occasion of UFC Vegas 93 as a consequence of nasty knee injury.

Assertion. Conor McGregor releases first statement after damage withdrawal from Michael Chandler battle at UFC 303, Chandler responds

Shocker. Anderson Silva says knockouts weren’t allowed in Chael Sonnen boxing exhibition.

Damage. Ex-champ Jamahal Hill reveals injuries that pressured him out of UFC 303.

Submit Present.

The complete Silva vs. Sonnen battle.

Free fights.

Throwing some shade.

Lovable.

Father’s Day.

Effectively, nicely, nicely. That’s three wells, which is simply the fitting variety of them as I didn’t assume I’d ever be again on the TMR streets. But right here I’m, Jed Meshew, the longest tenured Morning Reporter, referred to as again to service whereas Drake is out. However by no means concern, Drake will likely be again tomorrow. This was only a transient stroll down reminiscence lane for me.

Thanks for studying and love y’all.

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