Robert Whittaker has been a force in the UFC’s middleweight division for years. His journey from a welterweight prospect to a middleweight champion is the stuff of legend. His story is marked by technical brilliance and warrior spirit. That same spirit was on full display at UFC 308, though perhaps this time, it might have been wiser to tap a bit earlier against Khamzat Chimaev.
What happened at UFC 308 left even seasoned veterans wincing. Whittaker met his match against Chimaev in a way nobody expected. The fight started with Chimaev’s trademark aggression. After securing a takedown in the opening round, ‘Borz’ lived up to his predatory moniker. The sequence that followed would make Whittaker’s medical insurance provider very nervous.
When Chimaev locked in what appeared to be a simple neck crank, something went terribly wrong. As Daniel Cormier later revealed through a particularly gnarly photo, the submission didn’t just force a tap – it completely rearranged Whittaker’s dental work. Three lower incisors decided to take an unexpected journey backward, and his jaw suffered a severe fracture, most likely in three places.
No X-rays or confirmation of the full extent of the injury is known yet. Meanwhile, the MMA community quickly rallied around Whittaker, whose toughness has never been questioned. Even Khamzat Chimaev showed genuine concern after realizing the extent of the damage. It’s worth noting that this wasn’t just another submission victory. It was an unintended demonstration of the raw power behind modern MMA techniques that put the Chechen’s hype on Cloud 9 after it had died down a bit.
Joe Rogan In Awe After Khamzat Chimaev’s Extraordinary Performance Against Robert Whittaker
The UFC commentary booth has seen Joe Rogan react to countless spectacular moments over two decades. Yet what unfolded at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi left even the veteran commentator struggling to contain his excitement. During his Fight Companion podcast, Rogan’s trademark enthusiasm reached new heights as he witnessed Chimaev’s masterclass against Whittaker.
Rogan couldn’t contain himself during his podcast analysis. His mouth remained wide open as he witnessed what Khamzat Chimaev did to Whittaker. And the next thing out of his mouth was a call for a title shot.
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“You give him the title shot. Once he gets ahold of you, it’s so dangerous. He didn’t get touched; he ran through him, and he strangled him in the first round. He might be that guy, dude.”
According to Rogan, Chimaev’s decision to stop killing himself to make 170 pounds has transformed him into an even more dangerous fighter at middleweight. The way he manhandled Whittaker, a notoriously difficult fighter to take down, suggested Rogan might be onto something. And maybe fans would be in for a treat as the UFC navigates their options after a tremendous card that was UFC 308!
Also Read: How Much Money Did Khamzat Chimaev Earn Finishing Robert Whittaker at UFC 308?
