Robert Whittaker recently found himself on the wrong end of a first-round submission against Khamzat Chimaev. It was a tough loss, but not one that diminished his fighting spirit or analytical mind. In fact, the loss seemed to sharpen his perspective on the current middleweight landscape.
During his MMArcade podcast, Whittaker dropped a bombshell that’s got fight fans talking. He believes Khamzat Chimaev deserves the next title shot against Dricus du Plessis, hands down. His reasoning rewards active fighters over those sitting on the sidelines.
“I think [Khamzat] should go straight to Dricus. I don’t think sitting out should be rewarded, ever.”
Robert Whittaker believes Khamzat Chimaev should get the next title shot over Sean Strickland:
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) November 26, 2024
"I think [Khamzat] should go straight to Dricus. I don't think sitting out should be rewarded, ever."
(via. @MMArcadePodcast) #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/CgGXLiZt9p
This puts Sean Strickland in a bit of a bind. Strickland, who recently lost his title to du Plessis at UFC 297, has been vocal about wanting the next shot. But Robert Whittaker’s endorsement of ‘Borz’ carries weight. After all, Chimaev didn’t just beat Whittaker – he dominated him.
The UFC middleweight division is at a crossroads, and everyone’s watching to see what comes next. Will Chimaev get his shot? Will Strickland make a comeback? One thing is for certain – Robert Whittaker’s opinion is more than just talk. It’s a calculated assessment from someone who’s been in the octagon and knows exactly what it takes to be a champion.
Fight Fans Reacted To Robert Whittaker’s Assessment Of The Title Shot
The UFC middleweight division has been buzzing with energy and speculation lately. Fans live for these moments of heated debate and fighter drama. When Whittaker speaks, the MMA world tends to listen – and this time, he’s stirred up quite the conversation about who deserves the next title shot.
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Social media exploded with reactions after Robert Whittaker’s bold statement about Khamzat Chimaev. Some fans jumped right into the discussion, bringing their own spicy takes and passionate opinions. Most agreed with his take and took aim at Sean Strickland’s style and eligibility to fight for the title. Here are some reactions from fight fans:
Please I don’t want to watch the jab/frontkick merchant ruin another main event
— tiz/ (@tiznah) November 26, 2024
@SStricklandMMA you fighting Caio next in the Brazil Card. pic.twitter.com/nFZj9YcbgJ
— AWURED0 (@AOUREDOO) November 26, 2024
When you think about it that way, he's right, you should not wait around in order to get your shot exactly because in the meantime, someone else can make a bigger statement and make themselves look better, just like in this case.
— MidMartialArts (@MidMartialArts) November 26, 2024
Ya’ll think this is PTSD from GSP sitting out 4 years then stealing his title shot lol
— Victor Damone Jr. (@vicdamonesports) November 26, 2024
Khamzat definitely needs the fight! Dricus and Strickland was a snooze fest lol Khamzat won’t let that happen
— Servant 🇺🇸 (@HumbleLiam777) November 26, 2024
He’s right.
— Da Cake (@SlipsterOG) November 26, 2024
What makes this debate so engaging is the passion of MMA fans. They don’t just watch fights; they analyze, argue, and live the sport. Robert Whittaker’s comments became more than just an opinion. They became a catalyst for discussion about what truly matters in championship fights.
Also Read: Robert Whittaker Refuses To Leave The Country Without Fulfilling His “Duty”