A year removed from his majority decision victory over Kamaru Usman, unbeaten Chechen monster Khamzat Chimaev returned to the Octagon on Saturday for a middleweight title eliminator against ex-champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 308.
Round 1
Whittaker opens things up with a couple of calf kicks as Chimaev looks like on his feet and shoots in for a takedown less than 20 seconds into the scrap. Chimaev immediately takes Whittaker’s back and looks to soften him up against the fence with some strikes. Whittaker is keeping his hip on the fence so Chimaev can’t get his hook in. Whittaker is defending well, but can’t quite get back to his feet. Chimaev briefly drags Whittaker away from the fence which allows Chimaev to get a hook in. Chimaev gets the second in, but Whittaker scrambles and gets out of danger temporarily.
Chimaev retakes his back near the fence and Whittaker is content to relax for a moment. Chimaev attempts a rear-naked choke, but can’t get his arm under the chin. Whittaker attempts to scramble and that allows Chimaev to once again wrap his arm around the face of ‘The Reaper.’ Chimaev cranks and Whittaker quickly taps out to the crank.
Whittaker reveals to his corner that he may have dislocated his jaw, prompting the tap out.
Official Result: Khamzat Chimaev def. Robert Whittaker via submission (face crank) at 3:34 of Round 1.
Check Out Highlights From Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whittaker at UFC 308:
https://x.com/mmamania/status/1850268791340712368
https://x.com/DRaps04/status/1850268339945259442
https://x.com/ChampRDS/status/1850268205421634003
https://x.com/mma_frenzy/status/1850269065601790161