In a single day, eagle-eyed followers observed an anticipated UFC 308 title eliminator between former champion, Robert Whittaker and the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev was off because the slated co-main occasion in Abu Dhabi, UAE — earlier than it was instantly redrafted because the evening’s penultimate outing.
Whittaker, a former undisputed middleweight champion, most not too long ago landed a formidable first spherical win over short-notice substitute, Ikram Aliskerov in Saudi Arabia — ending the Russian with a shocking knockout victory within the promotion’s first outing in Riyadh.
As for Chechen-born challenger, Khamzat Chimaev, the unbeaten contender co-headlined UFC 294 again in October of final yr towards former undisputed welterweight champion and pound-for-pound primary, Kamaru Usman in a controversial majority choice win in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
And booked as soon as extra in a rescheduled pairing following their failed June matchup, Whittaker and Chimaev have been introduced because the co-main occasion of UFC 308 on the finish of October, earlier than a headliner of undisputed featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria, and symbolic BMF titleholder, Max Holloway.
Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev stays as UFC 308 co-main occasion combat in October
Nevertheless, final evening, followers speculated that Chimaev was out of his matchup with the Auckland-born ex-champion as soon as extra — with a heavyweight rematch between former interim champion, Ciryl Gane and Russian striker, Alexander Volkov drafted right into a co-headlining conflict.
Quickly thereafter, after an obvious administrative error, the promotion confirmed that Whittaker’s title-eliminator towards Chimaev was nonetheless on — with the bout remaining because the evening’s present co-headliner.
UFC 308 takes place on October 28. from the Etihad Area in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with an undisputed featherweight championship combat between unbeaten titleholder, Ilia Topuria, and former champion, present symbolic BMF gold holder, Max Holloway slated to take important occasion standing within the promotion’s flagship return to the Center East.