Fight bookings are a volatile art, and as such, they can be as explosive as the bouts themselves. Enter Robert Whittaker, known for his gritty determination and never-say-die attitude, has faced his fair share of challenges both inside and outside the Octagon. But his latest obstacle came in the form of a canceled fight against Khamzat Chimaev. Now, in a surprising turn of events, ‘The Reaper’ is set to face the same opponent who slipped through his fingers last time.
Many wondered if Whittaker would agree to book another fight with Chimaev. After all, ‘fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice…’ well, you know the rest. But Whittaker, ever the professional, has agreed to face Chimaev at UFC 308. In a recent podcast, Whittaker explained his decision to accept the fight again.
“Chimaev is obviously a big draw, especially over there in Abu Dhabi…Did you know I asked for the fight? Straight after the last one, I saw there was an Abu Dhabi card in October, so the timeline fits perfectly,” said Whittaker via MMA Arcade Podcast.
‘The Reaper’s’ reasoning is rooted in his competitive spirit. He sees Chimaev as a legitimate threat in the middleweight division. Robert Whittaker acknowledged that beating Chimaev would be a great step towards regaining the title he once had. The Australian fighter also pointed out the hefty financial incentives of the matchup.
Whittaker admits there’s always a risk of another cancelation. However, he believes the potential rewards outweigh the risks. As UFC 308 approaches, the MMA world will be watching closely. Will Whittaker’s gamble pay off? Can Chimaev live up to the hype against a former champion? Let’s leave it to the time to tell.
Betting Odds For Khamzat Chimaev’s Win And Withdrawal Almost The Same
Fighters rise and fall, champions are crowned and dethroned, and bouts are made and broken. But every once in a while, a situation arises that’s so uniquely bizarre it makes even the most seasoned MMA fans do a double-take. This is the curious case of Khamzat Chimaev and his upcoming fight with Robert Whittaker at UFC 308.
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Chimaev, the undefeated Chechen-born Swedish fighter, has been making waves in the UFC. He quickly became a fan favorite with his dominant performances and bold personality. But there’s a catch, and it’s a big one. Chimaev has developed a reputation for pulling out of fights.
Now, as he prepares to face former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker, the odds makers have thrown us a curveball. Chimaev has nearly identical odds of winning the fight and not showing up. According to recent odds, Chimaev is -190 to defeat Whittaker. However, there’s a -140 odd set for the bout to not even happen.
This unusual betting line stems from Chimaev’s history of canceled bouts. The two were originally scheduled to meet last June, but Chimaev pulled out due to illness. As UFC 308 approaches, fans and bettors alike will be on the edge of their seats, contemplating whether Chimaev will show up or not.
