What a day it is for Robert Whittaker! The former middleweight champion is inching closer to the middleweight title as he stunned Ikram A͏͏l͏isk͏e͏r͏o͏v in the very first round to clinch victory. Whittaker knocked out A͏͏l͏isk͏e͏r͏o͏v on round 1, at 1:49 mins with a skillful uppercut. Whittaker’s spectacular victory got the entire MMA community buzzing and this also included his former opponent, Khamzat Chimaev.

‘Borz’ was supposed to clash against Whittaker to headline the Saudi Arabia event but the dream match couldn’t pass through as Chimaev contacted an unknown disease which forced him out of the clash and Dana White had to clinch in A͏͏l͏isk͏e͏r͏o͏v as a replacement. As Whittaker has clinched the victory Chimaev has come forward to challenge the former champion once again.

Khamzat Chimaev calls out Robert Whittaker moments after his victory

Robert Whittaker is now the number-one contender for the middleweight title. The former middleweight champion will now be facing either Israel Adesanya or Dricus Du Plessis for the ‘185’ lbs belt. Khamzat Chimaev could have been in Whittaker’s place if his body allowed him, yet fate had different plans. Regardless, his illness has not taken the will out of him to become the champion.

Khamzat Chimaev has challenged the former middleweight champ just moments after his victory. ‘Borz took to his social media handle and wrote, “Congratulations @robwhittakermma we are not done! I wish you a speedy recovery @ikram_aliskerov keep your head up my brother.”

More to follow…