On the eve of his fight before Robert whittaker in the middleweight category (up to 83,9 kg) in UFC 308, Khamzat Shimaev gave a fitting response to his opponent after the weigh-in on Friday (25). This is because, despite the Australian recognizing the strength of the Swede's wrestler, he claimed that the UFC is an MMA event and not a wrestler's event, downplaying his opponent's grapling qualities.
In addition to asking what Chimaev thought of Whittaker's statement, the journalist also asked the Swede to evaluate his striking power compared to his opponent.
“What am I doing there then, man? I fight in the UFC, so it’s not wrestling, I know it’s not wrestling, so I’m not here just to fight as a wrestler. I think it’s fantastic (striker quality), my power is there. I can knock people out, so maybe he (Robert whittaker) falls by knockout. Let's see,” Chimaev said.
See too
The 13th-ranked fighter also referred to Whittaker as a 'good man' and that he respects him above all else.
“Rob is a good man, I respect him. If he were a bad person I would act differently. If someone talks badly about me I respond, if they treat me with respect, I respect them too,” he concluded.
This Friday, Chimaev made use of the pound of tolerance allowed for non-title fights, weighed 84,3 kg and confirmed the duel with Robert whittaker, who had weighed himself more than an hour earlier and weighed 83,9 kg.
UFC 308
O UFC 308 takes place this Saturday (26) in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates. The event, which features as its main fight the dispute for the featherweight belt (up to 65,7 kg) between Ilia Topuria e Max Holloway, starts at a special time, at 11 am (Brasília time).
Read More about: Khamzat Shimaev, Robert whittaker
You need login To comment.