Fight Log
Loading Fight Log...
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Robert Whittaker See More
Will Max Holloway finally return to the featherweight throne, or can champion Ilia Topuria truly usher in the new era? Find out the answer to this and other questions on Fight IQ.
The sharpest MMA bets, top DFS picks across multiple sites, and predictions for this weekend's UFC 308 card are live on RotoWire before Saturday's pay-per-view event.
The UFC 308 expert picks are officially in. Check out how the RotoWire team of MMA contributors envisions every fight going down on Saturday's pay-per-view card.
The top MMA betting and DFS plays for this weekend's UFC 308 card are up, as well as breakdowns of betting and lineup strategy, plus predictions for the entire event.
The top MMA betting picks are live on RotoWire. Check out UFC 308 predictions for a favorite, an underdog, a prop & a parlay for bettors to consider Saturday.
More Fantasy News
Set to face Chimaev
Whittaker will take on Khamzat Chimaev in a middleweight showdown at UFC 308 on Oct. 26, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Whittaker will be looking to hand Khamzat his first UFC loss. At 7-0-0, he's made short work of his competition, most recently besting Kamaru Usman via majority decision. As for Whittaker, he'll look to make it three wins in a row, and is coming off a big-time win over Ikram Aliskerov in a main event victory. This bout was originally scheduled for June 22 and was cancelled, but now the fighters will finally get the chance to face off in the octagon.
Whittaker will be looking to hand Khamzat his first UFC loss. At 7-0-0, he's made short work of his competition, most recently besting Kamaru Usman via majority decision. As for Whittaker, he'll look to make it three wins in a row, and is coming off a big-time win over Ikram Aliskerov in a main event victory. This bout was originally scheduled for June 22 and was cancelled, but now the fighters will finally get the chance to face off in the octagon.
Statement main event victory
Whittaker defeated Ikram Aliskerov via KO (punches) at 1:49 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
ANALYSIS
Yes, Aliskerov entered with just two UFC bouts under his belt, but he's a supremely talented opponent, and Whittaker made this look entirely too easy. Rob unloaded a right hand that left Ikram stumbling before unloading everything but the kitchen sink. Referee Marc Goddard, right on top of the action, was forced to step in less than two minutes in. Whittaker didn't appear to be handling punishment all that well his last few fights, but he never got hit here so it's difficult to tell whether or not that trend would have continued. If UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis can get by Whittaker's arch-nemesis Israel Adesanya at UFC 205 in Perth, Australia this coming August, Rob could be next in line for a shot at the championship. Whittaker was knocked out by Du Plessis when the two first met last July. In the meantime, Whittaker will add another $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus to his long list of career accolades.
Yes, Aliskerov entered with just two UFC bouts under his belt, but he's a supremely talented opponent, and Whittaker made this look entirely too easy. Rob unloaded a right hand that left Ikram stumbling before unloading everything but the kitchen sink. Referee Marc Goddard, right on top of the action, was forced to step in less than two minutes in. Whittaker didn't appear to be handling punishment all that well his last few fights, but he never got hit here so it's difficult to tell whether or not that trend would have continued. If UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis can get by Whittaker's arch-nemesis Israel Adesanya at UFC 205 in Perth, Australia this coming August, Rob could be next in line for a shot at the championship. Whittaker was knocked out by Du Plessis when the two first met last July. In the meantime, Whittaker will add another $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus to his long list of career accolades.
Fighting Aliskerov instead
Whittaker will compete against Ikram Aliskerov in a middleweight fight on June 22 in Saudi Arabia, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
UFC President Dana White said that Khamzat Chimaev will no longer fight next Sunday due to being "violently ill". As a result, Aliskerov has withdrawn from fighting Antonio Trocoli at UFC Vegas 93 to take Chimaev's place. Whitaker and his new opponent will have minimal time preparing to headline the UFC's first event in Saudi Arabia. While not an undefeated prospect and receiving a significant challenge in competition, Aliskerov has a 15-1 MMA record (2-0 in the UFC), with his lone loss being to Chimaev.
UFC President Dana White said that Khamzat Chimaev will no longer fight next Sunday due to being "violently ill". As a result, Aliskerov has withdrawn from fighting Antonio Trocoli at UFC Vegas 93 to take Chimaev's place. Whitaker and his new opponent will have minimal time preparing to headline the UFC's first event in Saudi Arabia. While not an undefeated prospect and receiving a significant challenge in competition, Aliskerov has a 15-1 MMA record (2-0 in the UFC), with his lone loss being to Chimaev.
Draws Chimaev in Saudi Arabia
Whittaker will take on Khamzat Chimaev in a middleweight matchup at the UFC event scheduled for June 22 in Saudi Arabia, according to UFC President Dana White.
ANALYSIS
Whittaker got back in the win column with a unanimous decision victory over Paulo Costa in February and will now take on Chimaev in what will presumably be a title eliminator at 185 pounds. The key for Whittaker here will be to remain upright, as he'll have the striking advantage. Chimaev will look to employ a wrestling-heavy attack to get this to the mat, but Whittaker does have a plenty respectable 82 percent takedown defense during his time with the UFC. Chimaev will be by far the toughest wrestler Whittaker has faced to date, however, so attacking on the feet early in the rounds will be vital, and takedown defense will undoubtedly be the primary focus of his camp.
Whittaker got back in the win column with a unanimous decision victory over Paulo Costa in February and will now take on Chimaev in what will presumably be a title eliminator at 185 pounds. The key for Whittaker here will be to remain upright, as he'll have the striking advantage. Chimaev will look to employ a wrestling-heavy attack to get this to the mat, but Whittaker does have a plenty respectable 82 percent takedown defense during his time with the UFC. Chimaev will be by far the toughest wrestler Whittaker has faced to date, however, so attacking on the feet early in the rounds will be vital, and takedown defense will undoubtedly be the primary focus of his camp.
Bounces back with strong effort
Whittaker defeated Paulo Costa via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) at UFC 298 on Saturday in Anaheim.
ANALYSIS
It was a significant bounce-back performance from Whittaker on the heels of his first-round knockout loss to Dricus Du Plessis last July. Of course, Dricus has since gone on to win the UFC Middleweight Championship. As expected, Rob was the more technical striker the entire bout. He was the far more active man, as well, but he was nearly knocked out in the dying seconds of Round 1 after eating a Costa head kick. He recovered in between frames and proceeded to put together a solid final ten minutes to take the decision. Rob is now 33 years of age. He's been in countless wars over the years. He tends to get hit a bunch, even when he wins (like tonight), so durability is paramount if he hopes to remain in the title conversation at 185 pounds. This victory keeps him in the discussion despite the fact he's alternated wins and losses in his past four bouts.
It was a significant bounce-back performance from Whittaker on the heels of his first-round knockout loss to Dricus Du Plessis last July. Of course, Dricus has since gone on to win the UFC Middleweight Championship. As expected, Rob was the more technical striker the entire bout. He was the far more active man, as well, but he was nearly knocked out in the dying seconds of Round 1 after eating a Costa head kick. He recovered in between frames and proceeded to put together a solid final ten minutes to take the decision. Rob is now 33 years of age. He's been in countless wars over the years. He tends to get hit a bunch, even when he wins (like tonight), so durability is paramount if he hopes to remain in the title conversation at 185 pounds. This victory keeps him in the discussion despite the fact he's alternated wins and losses in his past four bouts.