Robert Whittaker, the former middleweight champion, had a tough fight with Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308 in October. Chimaev took him down really fast and made him hurt so much that Robert’s teeth got knocked out. He had to tap out because it was too painful.
But Robert is already back in the gym. He’s working on a new way to fight, even though he’s been using the same style for many years. He’s ready to come back stronger and show everyone his new moves.
Robert Whittaker Ready to Mix Things Up After UFC 308 Setback
Robert Whittaker has been pretty quiet since he lost to Chimaev. Right after the fight, he said the problem with his teeth was from an old health issue.
But now, Robert is talking again. He went on a podcast and told everyone about something big the doctors found when they fixed his teeth. He also shared why Chimaev was able to take him down so easily.
Robert said he’s working on a brand new way to fight. He’s really sure that he can get back to being a champion, but he knows he needs to change things up because the new fighters might know his old moves.
“I’m 34 in December,” Whittaker told MMArcade podcast. “I still have some tricks up my sleeve. I still have some goals I want to hit. I am fiddling with some new skills.
“I’ve been fighting the same way for about 12 years. A lot of these new guys coming up watched me when they were kids. So, I think the manuscript on how I fight is out there, it’s time to change things up a little.
“I’m gonna surprise some people. Let’s leave it at that for now.
“To be fair, I haven’t even developed it yet, I’ve got to work on it. I got punched about 400 times in the head today [laughs]. The style’s not working yet, but we are working on it.”
Watch the full video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1i6AzdBM7E&t=3070s
Robert Whittaker Explains Why Khamzat Chimaev is So Tough to Imitate
Robert Whittaker is really famous for being one of the best fighters in the UFC. He’s great at striking and stopping people from taking him down.
But when he fought Khamzat Chimaev, he couldn’t do anything to stop him. Chimaev was so strong, he took Robert down easily and put him in a painful hold that broke his jaw and made his teeth shift.
On a podcast, Robert talked about why Chimaev was so hard to fight and what made him such a tough challenge.
“I felt real comfortable standing with him. Then, the dude drops like a millimeter — how do you stop that takedown?
“We did a lot of wrestling, we did a lot of wall work, but it’s so hard to replicate that sort of takedown, that sort of commitment.
“Props to him. Guy knows his strength and played into them to a tee, and was willing to burn it all there for it.”
🤼Robert Whittaker is hugely impressed with Khamzat Chimaev’s takedown offense:
“How do you stop this takedown? [In the gym] we did a lot of wrestling and wall work, but, mate, it’s so hard to replicate that kind of takedown.”
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— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) November 26, 2024
Who should be next in line for the middleweight title?
Sean Strickland has been waiting for a chance to fight champion Dricus du Plessis after beating Paulo Costa in June.
But some people think Khamzat Chimaev’s big win over Robert Whittaker makes him the top contender.
Du Plessis says he would rather face Chimaev next, but what does Robert Whittaker think? Who does he think should get the next title shot?
