In one of the most anticipated fights of the year, Khamzat Shimaev dominated the former champion Robert whittaker and finished him with a devastating rear naked choke in the first round. The fight, held at UFC 308 this Saturday (26), in Abu Dhabi, was the second most important of the event.
The fight was a show of strength from Chimaev from the beginning. With intense pressure, the Swede quickly took Whittaker to the ground. The former champion tried to resist, but Chimaev's superiority in grappling was evident. With absolute control of the position, the Chechen locked in a perfect rear naked choke, forcing Whittaker to tap.
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The violence of the finish was so great that, after the fight, the commentator Daniel Cormier revealed that Whittaker had broken his jaw during the fight.
With the victory, Chimaev consolidates himself as one of the main names in the UFC and moves closer to a fight for the welterweight belt.
On the other hand, Whittaker suffers his second defeat by submission in his career and sees his chances of regaining the title fade away. The Australian, who was once considered one of the best fighters in the category, will have to reinvent himself to compete at the top again.
After the victory, Chimaev challenged the champion Dricus du Plessis, but UFC president Dana White had already signaled that the Swede might have to wait Sean Strickland to have his rematch against the South African. With his dominant performance against Whittaker, however, Khamzat increased his chances of 'jumping the queue' and fighting for the belt.
VIDEO: Watch Khamzat Chimaev's submission win over Robert Whittaker at UFC 308
KHAMZAT CHIMAEV SUBMITS ROBERT WHITTAKER IN THE FIRST ROUND!!!!!!! OH MY GODDD!!!#UFC308 #UFC #MMApic.twitter.com/qtqzeLgajh
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 26, 2024
KHAMZAT CHIMAEV JUST DID THAT! @KChimaev wins by submission in Round 1!
[ #UFC308 | #inAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/uh0NuQd2rp
- UFC (@ufc) October 26, 2024
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