UFC
Whittaker brutally honest: Reveals why he rather fights Strickland than Chimaev
UFC middleweights Rob Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev. Photo USA Today Sports and Stefan Romare
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert “Bobby Knuckles” Whittaker is back in the win column against after beating Paulo Costa at UFC 298 a few weeks back. The former champ has his eyes on the title and eyes a fight with fellow former title holder, and No. 1 ranked contender Sean Strickland.
Another name mentioned for Whittaker is No. 11 ranked Khamzat Chimaev, who has been out of action since October last year, when he defeated Kamaru Usman at UFC 294.
At the moment, Chimaev is just outside the top 10 since Jack Hermansson and Roman Dolidze shares the No. 9 spot. However, as “Borz” is undefeated and one of the biggest stars in the promotion, the UFC might put him against Whittaker or even in a title fight next.
“That’s tricky because that doesn’t move me. It does in clout, but it doesn’t move me higher up in the rankings,” Whittaker told MMA Junkie about potentially face Chimaev. “I don’t know. I want to fight guys in the top five. Beating Strickland puts me at (No.) 1 again, and that’s as close as you can get really.”
“I think he has fond memories of Australia, right? So, I would think he would be up for it.”
Check out the current UFC middleweight rankings below!
Read more: Frustrated McGregor fires back at the UFC: “Causing lack of enthusiasm!”
The UFC middleweight rankings
Champion: Dricus du Plessis
1 Sean Strickland
2 Israel Adesanya
3 Robert Whittaker
4 Jared Cannonier
5 Marvin Vettori
6 Brendan Allen
7 Paulo Costa
8 Nassourdine Imavov
9 Jack Hermansson
9 Roman Dolidze
11 Khamzat Chimaev
12 Paul Craig
13 Anthony Hernandez
14 Chris Curtis
15 Caio Borralho
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