Khamzat Chimaev cautions fans not to overlook Robert Whittaker’s skills ahead of their highly anticipated Abu Dhabi clash.

Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker was left badly damaged by Khamzat Chimaev in 2024, but something good seemingly came from the difficult result.

Khamzat Chimaev recently shared his thoughts on the highly anticipatedmiddleweight clash between Robert Whittaker and Reinier de Ridder.The post Khamzat Chimaev Weighs In on Robert Whittaker vs. Reinier de Ridderappeared first on Heavy Sports.

Reinier De Ridder eyes the winner of Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev title fight after defeating a former champion.

At UFC 308 inside Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena, Whittaker was quickly submitted by Khamzat Chimaev, who locked in a gruesome face crank that displaced the Australian former champion’s front teeth. Despite the nature of that loss, it is a different defeat that has ‘The Reaper’ wishing for a chance at a do-over.

The former UFC middleweight champion's latest fight resulted in one of the gnarliest MMA injuries seen in recent memory.

Robert Whittaker’s teeth were brutally shattered in his last UFC fight. And with ‘The Reaper’ set to return to the same venue as his crushing defeat to Khamzat Chimaev last time

Khamzat Chimaev is currently preparing to face Dricus du Plessis in the main event of UFC 319 in his first UFC title fight. Following UFC 318, Chimaev has also been going back and forth with Paulo Costa after the former title challenger bounced back with a decisive win.

Nine of Chimaev's 14 professional MMA victories have come via first-round finish, and although 'Borz' has shown he can do well in fights outside of the first round, Whittaker believes that if the South African can survive Chimaev's early onslaught, he will retain his middleweight title.