Whittaker KOs rival in 109 seconds as Aussie ‘monster’ makes bold UFC Perth call

Robert Whittaker was right earlier this week when, fronting a UFC promo video, the man dubbed Bobby Knuckles said he not only likes fighting bogeymen, or is good at it, but then paused down a camera lens and grinned: “Really, I’m the bogeyman”.

Isn’t he what?

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Headlining the UFC’s historic debut in Saudi Arabia, Whittaker went and confirmed himself the next UFC middleweight title challenger in every sense – and potentially on a Down Under blockbuster – after finishing breakout Dagestani phenom Ikram Aliskerov with a stunning first round KO.

Despite accepting the Aliskerov fight on only a week’s notice – and after initial rival Khamzat Chimaev withdrew injured – the Aussie took less than two minutes to end the hyped replacement, who himself entered the bout on consecutive KO wins.

Initially rocking Aliskerov with a right hand, Bobby Knuckles then went left, left, right, head kick attempt, left, and – bang – a devastating right uppercut which dropped his rival as he then swarmed for the finish.

“I told you, I told everybody, I’m the bogeyman,” Whittaker told UFC commentator Daniel Cormier inside the Octagon afterwards, referencing his fight week prediction.

“I’m the best in the world.

“I’m the most dangerous match up for anyone in the division.”

Asked how he had just done what he did, and against a rival he admitted to not knowing as little as seven days ago, Whittaker replied: “I’m the best in the world, mate.

“I’m the most dangerous middleweight in the world.

“I’ll fight anywhere, anytime.

“I proved it tonight and I’ll prove it again.

“I’ll fight anyone.”

And as for the finish?

“I told everyone in the lead up to this fight that I’d win with my experience,” he said.

“And that’s exactly what it was.

“I’ve been in this position 100 times and I understand what I’m doing.”

So as for what’s next?

As first revealed by Fox Sports Australia in March, reigning UFC middleweight champ Dricus du Plessis is set to defend his crown against Israel Adesanya in a blockbuster headliner set for UFC 305 in Perth on August 18.

So what chance Whittaker will now get himself ready to be the backup fighter for that showdown?

“I’m healthy, I’m hearty … let’s go,” he laughed.

Whittaker’s finish continues an incredible run that, since 2014, has seen the Australian fight 18 times and lose only three – all of them in championship bouts.

Twice the first Australian to ever win UFC gold has lost against Adesanya, at UFC 243 and UFC 271, and once against DDP at UFC 290 last year.

However after defeating Brazilian Paulo Costa at UFC 298 in February, and then starching Aliskerov within a round, Whittaker is undeniably the No.1 contender at middleweight.

American Sean Strickland is another in the running to again challenge for the belt he himself upset Adesanya for at UFC 293 in Sydney, and has already suggested he is willing to now sit out until that opportunity arrives.

However, Whittaker’s finish in Saudi Arabia has to see him overtake the contentious American.

Elsewhere on the historic card held inside the Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, UFC heavyweight Alexander Volkov scored a bloody fourth straight win, Dagestani star Shara Magomedov earned a huge KO and Brazilian Johnny Walker was also knocked out in devastating fashion.

But undeniably, the highlight was Whittaker, who UFC commentator, and former middleweight champ, Michael Bisping branded a “monster”.

“Robert Whittaker at his devastating finest,” the Englishman said of the finish.

Cormier, meanwhile, insisted the 33-year-old Whittaker had to now be a very real chance of going on standby for Australia’s next Pay-Per-View blockbuster in August.

And it came on a main card that started with Volkan Oezdemir adding to his UFC highlight reel with a devastating KO of Walker – with a brutal right uppercut, followed by another right hand as his rival dropped to the canvas, putting the Brazilian to sleep.

In the co-main, UFC heavyweight Alexander Volkov earned a gritty decision win over Sergei Pavlovich that not only left his rival extremely bloodied afterwards, but so upset he was seen pushing his rival after the finish.

“He was mad? I dunno,” Volkov shrugged of the moment that came shortly before he was awarded his fourth straight win inside the Octagon, 30-27, 30-27, 29-28.

After a week of weight drama, Kelvin Gastelum also scored a decision win over Daniel Rodriguez – then immediately thanked UFC boss Dana White for ensuring the bout went ahead.

Initially set to fight at welterweight, Gastelum was forced ask for the bout to be moved a class, to middleweight, after the former title contender had issues with the cut.

Speaking inside the Octagon afterwards, Gastelum described the situation as “unacceptable” but thanked UFC boss Dana White for allowing the necessary changes for the fight to take place up a division.

Elsewhere, undefeated UFC middleweight Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov also continued his hyped rise, finishing Brazilian Antonio Trocoli with a brutal left hook.

Initially rocking Trocoli with a knee, the Dagestani then swarmed, throwing several lefts and rights before then finishing with a hook that now takes his career start to 12 straight wins – including his first two inside the Octagon.

Cormier praised the performance in commentary, saying Magomedov “fought the perfect fight”.

FULL CARD RESULTS

Main Card