UFC 308: Whittaker and Chimaev could steal the show in Abu Dhabi

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For fans of the UFC, the upcoming UFC 308 event at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi promises to be a special occasion. Not only are fans gearing up for the highly anticipated bout between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway, but the long-awaited return of Khamzat Chimaev is coming, with the Russian professional mixed martial artist and freestyle wrestler taking on Robert Whittaker in an intriguing middleweight matchup.

While the main event will undoubtedly hog the build-up to the event, there is a strong chance the Whittaker and Chimaev fight could end up stealing the show. In the same way that Belal Muhammad received all the plaudits in Manchester by seeing off Leon Edwards, both Whittaker and Chimaev are capable of putting on a memorable showing in what’s expected to be an all-action, fiercely competitive fight. 

Of course, it’s impossible to ignore the UFC Featherweight Championship bout on the same night, particularly as current champion Ilia Topuria and former champion Max Holloway could produce a striking feast that will excite the global crowd, but Whittaker against Chimaev is just as tough to call. In fact, when assessing what fans are talking about online, reading the various previews out there, and looking at the latest UFC odds, it’s tough to predict, although Khamzat Chimaev being priced at −198 will tempt many fans of the unique character. It could certainly go either way, though. 

What type of Khamzat Chimaev will we see? 

In order for the fight to be as competitive as many fans and experts alike are predicting, Khamzat Chimaev needs to be at his very best or there is a chance that Robert Whittaker could walk through him. After all, Whittaker (17-5 UFC) and Chimaev (7-0 UFC) were scheduled to headline UFC Saudi Arabia in June, but Chimaev’s seemingly ongoing health issues resulted in the fight being called off, leaving fans all around the world wondering just what’s happening to the Russian fighter. 

According to reports, the unbeaten athlete is fit and ready and will be desperate to maintain his winning streak. Still, rustiness could certainly play a part in this bout, particularly as Whittaker has been fairly active after seeing off the likes of Ikram Aliskerov and Paulo Costa this year already. Any fans who have seen even just a few minutes of Chimaev’s fights will know that he always turns up to put on a performance, though, and it’s fair to expect the very best version of Khamzat Chimaev in this three-round encounter. In fact, any post-fight excuses probably won’t be tolerated by the UFC community, with Chimaev being somewhat of a forgotten man these days. 

Whittaker is a dangerous opponent for Khamzat

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While most fans will be excited to witness the return of Khamzat Chimaev, Robert Whittaker is more than capable of spoiling the party. The New Zealand-born fighter made light work of Chimaev’s replacement, Ikram Aliskerov, and he’s clearly hungry for more success after recording some notable wins in 2024. 

Whittaker has operated at the very top before and has vast experience fighting some of the biggest names in the division. Of course, Khamzat Chimaev’s relatively short career in the UFC has seen him defeat the likes of Kamaru Usman, but that was way back in 2023 at UFC 294. Since then, a lot has happened, and Whittaker appears to be winning over more fans and writing his own story in the process as he aims to triumph over another lesser-ranked fighter and stake his claim for a title shot in the future. 

One thing’s for sure, it’s going to be an unmissable battle.