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The historic first UFC card in Saudi Arabia has experienced a major shake-up in its main event. Khamzat Chimaev, initially slated to headline, has been forced to withdraw after falling "violently ill." Stepping in for Chimaev is rising middleweight prospect Ikram Aliskerov, who will now face former UFC champion Robert Whittaker on June 22 in Riyadh.
UFC CEO Dana White announced the lineup change on Thursday, marking a significant shift in the highly anticipated event. Chimaev, who had been aiming for a title shot with a win over the seasoned Whittaker, will have to delay his ambitions until he recovers.
For Aliskerov, this marks the opportunity of a lifetime. Originally scheduled to compete in the co-main event at UFC Vegas 93 this Saturday at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Aliskerov will now face Whittaker in the main event in Saudi Arabia. The 31-year-old Russian has been dominant in his UFC run, dispatching his first two opponents in under five minutes combined, with knockouts over Warlley Alves and Phil Hawes. His only career loss came in 2019 to Chimaev.
Whittaker, known for his technical skills and resilience, now faces a different challenge with Aliskerov stepping in. The former middleweight champion's experience will be tested against the rising star's aggressive style.
The UFC Saudi Arabia event, now headlined by Whittaker vs. Aliskerov, is set to be a historic occasion on June 22. The change in the main event adds an element of unpredictability, with Aliskerov poised to seize the biggest opportunity of his career.
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