Robert Whittaker’s coach has shared a bold prediction ahead of the UFC Saudi Arabia fight vs Khamzat Chimaev, one that we’ve not seen since 2017.
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker returns to action next weekend, June 22, to face the undefeated phenom Khamzat Chimaev; live from the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- UPDATE: In the hours since this article was posted, it was revealed by the UFC that Khamzat Chimaev has withdrawn from the Saudi Arabia main event fight with illness
Alex Prates offers bold KO prediction for Whittaker vs Chimaev
Speaking via the Sherdog YouTube channel, Robert Whittaker’s head coach Alex Prates revealed the extent to which ‘The Reaper’ is training in the grappling and wrestling departments for the dominant Khamzat Chimaev.
“I was specifically looking for someone with the same body type as Khamzat, long and lanky [but] I couldn’t find it… The main difference [now] is that we trained a lot of Muay Thai to face Paulo [Costa] and now we’re training a lot, a lot, a lot of wrestling – we’re not underestimating [Chimaev].
“I think last week, they started to do 10 minutes of five-round wrestling so he’s good to go, his grappling is on time so let’s see what happens,” said the veteran trainer, teasing that the plan is to match the 13-0 prospect’s intense opening barrage.
“We plan to match his intensity from the get-go, we want to beat him from the first round, we’re not going to play to make him tired, we’re going to fight fire with fire,” added Prates, before acknowledging that the path to victory has actually already been laid out.
“[Gilbert] Burns, I need to thank him for the blueprint, I’ve watched that fight so many times and I think he gave a very clear path to victory. By starting hard, be very aggressive from the guard, be very aggressive standing.”
Prates described how the team is preparing for not just “five rounds of war,” but also for the moment when both men eventually tire in the octagon; with that fight being scheduled for five rounds.
“We’re training to be comfortable when you know that both fighters [will] hit the wall, that’s what we’re planning to do… That’s what we’re training for, the whole day every day.
“When it becomes a dogfight, I don’t see anyone beating Robert in this division but if I was a gambling man, which I’m not, third-round technical knockout for Robert Whittaker, that’s how I see this fight.”
Robert Whittaker’s last knockout win in the UFC came all the way back in 2017; a second-round finish of Ronaldo Souza; his last seven victories have all come by way of decision.
Whittaker might still need ‘one more win’ to earn next title shot
When asked whether a win against Chimaev secures him another shot at the UFC middleweight title, Prates noted that it’s all about stacking wins at the top of the 185lb tree.
“I think it’s pretty simple, you beat the next guy and you get closer to a title shot and that’s what we’re doing… That’s what made Robert a champion and that’s what we’re doing again, beating the next guy.”
However, Whittaker might very well have to take a fight against former champion Sean Strickland before he gets another chance to reclaim undisputed glory – or at least that’s what champion Dricus du Plessis believes.
“He [Whittaker] needs that win if he’s going to stay in that run and obviously, I have the world’s respect for Whittaker, I think he’s one of the greatest athletes ever,” he stated.
“In my opinion, should Whittaker beat Khamzat, I don’t think it warrants him a title shot… Honestly, I would love to see him, and Strickland fight it out for a number one contender’s fight.”
Robert Whittaker vs Khamzat Chimaev is scheduled for June 22, live from the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.