The UFC event in Saudi Arabia on June 22 will now feature Robert Whittaker vs. Ikram Aliskerov as the main event after Khamzat Chimaev withdrew due to illness.
The first ever UFC card in Saudi Arabia has a new main event.
Khamzat Chimaev is out. He fell “violently ill.” Now, highly touted middleweight prospect Ikram Aliskerov steps in. He’ll face former UFC champion Robert Whittaker on June 22 in Riyadh.
UFC CEO Dana White announced the change on Thursday.
It’s a tough break for Chimaev. He aimed for a title shot with a win over Whittaker. Now, the undefeated Chechen must wait until he’s healthy to return to action.
For Aliskerov, this is the chance of a lifetime. The 31-year-old Russian was set to fight at UFC Vegas 93. Instead, he’ll now face Whittaker in Saudi Arabia’s main event.
Since joining the UFC, Aliskerov has been unstoppable. He demolished his first two opponents in under five minutes combined. Knockouts over Warlley Alves and Phil Hawes. His only loss? To Chimaev in 2019.
Whittaker vs. Aliskerov headlines the UFC Saudi Arabia card on June 22. Catch it live on ABC in the United States.