Robert Whittaker had a tough task on paper facing dangerous short-notice replacement Ikram Aliskerov, but “The Reaper” made it look very easy.
Whittaker battled Aliskerov in the main event of Saturday’s UFC Saudi Arabia card in Riyadh, and needed less than two minutes to dispatch of the surging prospect. Whittaker was landing at will, and after landing a hard combination that badly hurt Aliskerov, Whittaker went for the kill and eventually got it with a brutal uppercut that sent Aliskerov crashing to the canvas.
The official time of the stoppage was 1:49 of the opening stanza.
Whittaker finds himself on his first win streak inside the octagon since a three-fight victory run between July 2020 and April 2021. The former champion started off 2024 with a unanimous decision win over Paulo Costa at UFC 298 in February.
Following Saturday’s win, Whittaker said he is good to go to be the backup fighter for the UFC 305 main event between champion Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya on Aug. 17.
A slew of UFC fighters reacted to Whittaker’s victory, which you can see below.
@robwhittakermma is a beast!! One of the best to do it #UFCSaudiArabia
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) June 22, 2024
Stunning right hand!!! What a finish!! #UFCSaudiArabia
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) June 22, 2024
Wow! What a performance by Whitaker! #UFCSaudiArabia
— Cody Durden (@Cody_Durden) June 22, 2024
The veteran in Whitaker, knowing that the uppercut would eventually be there. #UFCSaudiArabia
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) June 22, 2024
BOBBY!!!! Whitaker put him on stilts! #UFCSaudiArabia
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) June 22, 2024
WHAT. A. STUD. @robwhittakermma #UFCSaudiArabia
— Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) June 22, 2024
Nasty
— Dan Ige (@Dynamitedan808) June 22, 2024
Bruh...#UFCSaudiArabia
— Chris Curtis The Action Man (@Actionman513) June 22, 2024
