Ikram Aliskerov will be carrying a ‘secret weapon’ from Khabib Nurmagomedov to Saudi Arabia when he takes on Robert Whittaker! The Dagestani middleweight accepted a short-notice clash against ‘The Reaper’ after Khamzat Chimaev withdrew from the event because of an undisclosed medical issue. UFC CEO Dana White had announced that Aliskerov would be replacing ‘Borz’ due to him being “violently ill”. Aliskerov has a long history with Khabib Nurmagomedov as his early training in judo and sambo was conducted by experts trained by ‘The Eagle’s father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.

According to reports online, the two fighters have also trained together in their youth. Now, as he heads into a crucial matchup in his UFC career, Aliskerov has revealed why the former UFC champion couldn’t make it to his corner and the advice he has received to tackle the monumental task of facing a former UFC middleweight champion.

Ikram Aliskerov shares a glimpse of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s advice for UFC Saudi Arabia

In a video shared on YouTube by ‘Red Corner MMA’, Ikram Aliskerov was asked if he had a discussion with ‘The Eagle’ about his short-notice replacement for Khamzat Chimaev at UFC Saudi Arabia. Aliskerov responded by stating, “Yes, after I took the fight I called Khabib, he said, ‘You can’t miss these chances, you have to fly here sweat for 2-3 days, there’s also the adaptation, it’s a 10 hour difference with Vegas here. Its easier to fly here from Miami, it’s a longer flight from Vegas too. ”

When the interviewer asked him if he received any particular advice about the strategy and tactics for this fight, Aliskerov remained tight-lipped as he revealed that while he did talk to ‘The Eagle’ about it, he didn’t want to divulge the exact details of their conversation in a video that could also be seen by his opponent.

However, when further pressed by the interviewer, Aliskerov responded by revealing, “Pay attention because he’s a striker, be attentive and everything will work out”. This succinct piece of advice underscored the importance of focus and awareness in the clash against the veteran and elite middleweight, Robert Whittaker.

Will Khabib Nurmagomedov be present in Aliskerov’s corner for this fight? It appears not as the fighter confessed that, “…they’re all very tired after Islam’s camp,” referring to ‘The Eagle’s presence in Islam Makhachev’s corner for his title defense against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302. The upcoming Saudi Arabia showdown against Robert Whittaker promises to be a defining moment in Aliskerov’s career as ‘The Eagle’ has also given his verdict on his fellow Dagestani fighter’s chances of making it to the top of the UFC and continuing the region’s dominance over MMA.

‘The Eagle’ puts the UFC on notice with his proclamation of Aliskerov’s “future” stardom

In a video clip shared on his YouTube channel, Khabib Nurmagomedov expressed confidence in Aliskerov’s potential in the UFC as he stated, “I know that the UFC has high hopes for Ikram. They want him to fight in major tournaments against good opponents… They have big hopes and plans for him but Ikram is performing very well.”

Currently, on a streak of 2 impressive first-round finishes in the promotion, Aliskerov has already made waves in the 185 lbs division with a lot of eyes already on his future. As such, the former lightweight champion further went on to state, “That’s the impression I get, I’ve known him since childhood. I think Ikram is a future star.”

In conclusion, with the support and endorsement of a legend like Khabib Nurmagomedov, Aliskerov’s career is set for an exciting trajectory, to say the least. His journey from training in Dagestan to competing on the world stage is a testament to his hard work and dedication, which can be seen inside the Octagon. As the UFC continues to nurture new talent, Ikram Aliskerov stands out as a promising contender with the potential to become a household name in the world of MMA and carry on the legacy of Nurmagomedov.

What are your thoughts on Ikram Aliskerov’s chances in the matchup against Robert Whittaker? Share them with us in the comments below.