One of the biggest fights of the year is the middleweight clash between Khamzat Chimaev and Robert Whittaker. Two of the most elite fighters in the division will lock horns at the upcoming UFC 308 event in Abu Dhabi. For the unversed, Chimaev pulled out from their initial clash in June 2024 after he became ‘violently ill’, but will grace the octagon to face one of the division’s very best.

The former middleweight king is currently on a roll and is unbeaten in his last two fights. However, he is aware of the threats his next opponent possesses. ‘The Reaper’ has faced many high-level opponents in his career, but he feels this might be his toughest challenge to date.

Robert Whittaker speaks highly of Khamzat Chimaev before his fight at UFC 308

Since making his debut in the UFC, Khamzat Chimaev has impressed everyone with his aggression and skill set. A high-level grappler and an elite striker, ‘Borz’ is still unbeaten in his UFC career. Unfortunately, the 30-year-old has lost some momentum since his initial showcase after facing multiple health issues lately. However, he is determined to make a comeback and get back to title contention once again. His next opponent is a powerhouse in himself, but he respects the Chechen Fighter and his skill level.

‘The Reaper’ sat down to chat with Chisanga Malata on his YouTube channel to discuss his upcoming fight. The 33-year-old is known for his ability to take on anyone in the division and is not afraid to get tested. While he is confident that he will come out on top against Chimaev, the former champion doesn’t want to take him lightly. According to him, ‘Borz’ might be the toughest test of his career, but he is ready for the challenge.

Whittaker said, “Mate I think like it’s the most pressing test right now. Because it’s the story left untold right? It’s the unknown that worries that you know that gives this fight so much gravity. But I’ve had tests my entire career. I’ve had hard fights. I’ve had hard wins and I’ve had hard losses. Yeah, this is what I do. I’m built for this. I was paid to do this and I’m going to treat this fight like any other and get in there and just switch on and then get to work.” 

Since the fight was announced, fans have been speculating about the potential outcome. The five-round bout is expected to be a grueling test, and many believe Whittaker’s conditioning will give him an edge. However, Chimaev possesses a significant advantage that is often overlooked by experts.

Khamzat Chimaev will have a home-field advantage during his UFC 308 fight

In recent times, Khamzat Chimaev has earned a reputation for pulling out of his fights. A record not to be proud of, ‘Borz’ will have a lot to prove when he steps inside the Octagon next. With just a week left for the clash, it is believed that the fans will not be disappointed this time around. Chimaev has made massive changes in his training schedule and is focusing more on his recovery.

A fully fit Chimaev can be a treat to watch, but he will have a massive advantage when walking into the fight. The cast of ‘The Brendan Schmitty Show,’ who made their debut appearance on Tim Welch‘s podcast, shared their opinion on the fight. They believe that Chimaev might win his fight against Robert Whittaker at UFC 308.

“I think that match is perfectly crafted for Khamzat. Just from everything they did with that matchup… What people don’t respect is that he’s going to get a home game vs Robert Whittaker. Robert Whittaker is going to have to come to [the] UAE, where Khamzat does most of his training. Everything is sponsored by the UAE,” said Schmitty’s confidant.

Robert Whittaker, on the other hand, isn’t quite bothered about the home advantage. The Aussie ace believes that he is preparing for the same opponent twice and will come out on top. Will ‘The Reaper’ be able to keep his winning momentum going when he takes on Khamzat Chimaev next? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.