The UFC had to adapt to an unfortunate situation and now will host an event in Saudi Arabia without Khamzat Chimaev. Instead, former opponent Ikram Aliskerov will step up and face former world champion Robert Whittaker.
Whittaker is a former UFC middleweight champion who is 2-2 in his last four fights. The New Zealand-born Australian is ranked third in the UFC’s middleweight rankings, and a win could put him back to being the number one contender.
Finding out right before a fight a game plan must be thrown out the window can be frustrating, but Whittaker is ready to continue as if it’s business as usual.
WATCH: UFC Saudi Arabia: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov, live on Fubo
“I flew out here, and I understand I’m the main event of the card that comes with a level of responsibility, it’s how I earn my living. I wanted to fight, I wanted the show to go on, and I wanted to do my job, so hats off to Ikram for taking the fight and to the UFC for setting it up, and I look forward to putting on a show,” Whittaker said via BJPenn.com.
Chimaev had to back out after being too “violently ill” to compete. He beat Aliskerov in 2019. Since then, Aliskerov has won seven straight, with only one fight going the distance. The Russian has seven gold medals in Sambo and is 3-0 inside the octagon.
The card also features Sergei Pavlovich, ranked third in the heavyweight rankings, facing former Bellator and M-1 Global heavyweight champion Alexander Volkov, ranked fifth. Kelvin Gastelum returns to action, as well as Muhammad Naimov, on a six-fight win streak.
Below is all the information you need to watch UFC Saudi Arabia.
UFC Saudi Arabia: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov start time
Date: Saturday, June 22Start time: 3 p.m. ET (noon ET prelims) | 8 pm. BST | 5 a.m. AEST (Sunday) Location: Kingdom Arena (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
The prelims for UFC Saudi Arabia begin at noon ET. The main card starts at 3 p.m. ET. Whittaker and Aliskerov should make their way to the octagon around 7 p.m. ET, depending on how long the undercard fights last.
How to watch UFC Saudi Arabia prelims
The prelims, starting at noon ET, will air on ESPN+.
The prelims will feature Dana White’s Contender Series standout Farid Basharat vs. Montel Jackson, who is on a four-fight win streak. Nasrat Haqparast faces Jared Gordon, while Xiao Long and Lee Chang-ho compete in the finals of the Road to UFC Season 2 bantamweight tournament.
WATCH: UFC Saudi Arabia prelims: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov, live on ESPN+
How to watch UFC Saudi Arabia main card
UFC Saudi Arabia is available on ABC and ESPN+ in the U.S. It can also be streamed via Fubo which offers a free trial. The main card will air on TNT Sports in the U.K.
UFC Saudi Arabia fight card, odds
Main Card
Robert Whittaker (-150) vs. Ikram Aliskerov (+125); MiddleweightsSergei Pavlovich (-210) vs. Alexander Volkov (+175); HeavyweightsJohnny Walker (-145) vs. Volkan Oezdemir (+120); Light HeavyweightsKelvin Gastelum (-250) vs. Daniel Rodriguez (+190); WelterweightsSharabutdin Magomedov (-250) vs. Joilton Lutterbach (+195); Middleweights
Prelims
Nasrat Haqparast (-250) vs. Jared Gordon (+190); LightweightsMuhammad Naimov (-125) vs. Felipe Lima (+105); FeatherweightsRinat Fakhretdinov (-275) vs. Nicolas Dalby (+225); WelterweightsKang Kyung-ho (-105) vs. Muin Gafurov (-115); BantamweightsMagomed Gadzhiyasulov (-450) vs. Brendson Ribeiro (+350); Light HeavyweightsXiao Long (-110) vs. Lee Chang-ho (-110); Bantamweights
* Betting odds per Bet MGM
Upcoming UFC TV schedule
DateEventLocationHow to watchJune 22, 2024Whittaker vs. AliskerovKingdom Arena, Saudi ArabiaESPN+, ABCJune 29, 2024UFC 303: Pereira vs. Prochazka 2T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, USAESPN+July 13, 2024Barber vs. NamajunasBall Arena – Denver, ColoradoESPN, ESPN+July 20, 2024TBA vs. TBAUFC APEX, Las Vegas, USAESPN+