Former Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker Secures First-Round Knockout Win in Saudi Arabia

Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker delivered an emphatic performance in Saudi Arabia, securing a first-round knockout victory over Ikram Aliskerov on Saturday.

Originally slated to face rising contender Dricus Du Plessis, Whittaker found himself up against unranked Aliskerov, who stepped in as a late replacement for the main event in Riyadh.

Whittaker, 33, wasted no time in dispatching his opponent, with the Australian quickly overwhelming Aliskerov in the opening round.

The fight ended within two minutes as Whittaker landed a series of powerful strikes, including a well-placed overhand right that rocked Aliskerov early on.

Following up with a flurry of jabs and a grazing head kick, Whittaker continued to press the momentum with a devastating uppercut that sealed the victory against the Russian fighter.

This win marks Whittaker’s second consecutive victory, following his recent triumph over Kelvin Gastelum, solidifying his position as a top contender in the middleweight division.

In contrast, Aliskerov, whose only previous defeat was against Chimaev, faced a tough challenge against the experienced Whittaker.

Whittaker’s recent resurgence in form comes after setbacks against reigning champion Israel Adesanya, including a knockout loss in 2019 and a closely contested rematch in 2022.

With Adesanya currently embroiled in the title picture, Whittaker’s impressive win in Saudi Arabia puts him back in contention for another shot at the middleweight crown.