Sydney’s Robert Whittaker has made quick work of Ikram Aliskerov, stopping him in the first round of their main event clash in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this morning.
Aliskerov brought a 15-1 record and an 8-fight win streak into what was the biggest opportunity of his professional career, having stepped up after Khamzat Chimaev was forced out last week due to injury.
Whittaker set-out fired up and determined not to lose his number 3 contender ranking.
The fight commenced with Whittaker landing a pair of low kicks as Aliskerov returned one of his own. Whittaker returned fire any time Aliskerov attempted to strike and it paid off as a right connected flush, putting the Dagestani-born fighter on wobbly legs.
The 33-year-old Aussie pounced and a nicely timed uppercut dropped Aliskerov against the fence. Whittaker followed up with punches to force the referee to stop the contest.
With the win, Whittaker moves to 26-7 as a pro. His only losses in his 18 fights have come at the hands of Israel Adesanya (twice) and the current champion Dricus Du Plessis.
Du Plessis & Adesanya are set to face off in Perth in August, and Whittaker will be eagerly awaiting should he be forced to step up as an injury replacement.
“I’m healthy, I’m hearty. Let’s go,” Whittaker told the crowd in his post-fight speech.
