Khamzat Chimaev Runs Through Robert Whittaker at UFC 308

Chimaev scored the biggest win of his undefeated career in Abu Dhabi.

(Zuffa LLC

The co-main event of UFC 308 saw Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev square off to decide which man will challenge for the middleweight title next.

Chimaev Stuns Whittaker With Nasty Submission

The two men were originally scheduled to headline a UFC Fight Night event in June before Chimaev withdrew just before the card, which set the stage for Whittaker to knock out short-notice replacement Ikram Aliskerov in under two minutes.

UFC 308: Topuria vs. Holloway Results & Highlights

That result gave Whittaker back-to-back victories after he also defeated Paulo Costa in February, but the former champion still found himself as the underdog heading into his rebooked matchup with Chimaev in Abu Dhabi.

IT'S FINALLY HAPPENING 🚨@RobWhittakerMMA vs @KChimaev

The #UFC308 co-main event is LIVE NOW on @ESPNPlus PPV!

[ #InAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/ioo2W0NMA6

— UFC (@ufc) October 26, 2024

"Borz" entered the night looking to add another former champion to his record after he defeated Kamaru Usman at UFC 294, and Chimaev opened the fight aggressively on the feet before he quickly brought things to the mat.

Whittaker nearly scrambled back up on several occasions but was unable to escape, and when Chimaev locked up a rear naked choke it forced a quick tap from "The Reaper" due to an apparent injury to his jaw.

KHAMZAT CHIMAEV JUST DID THAT! 🤯@KChimaev wins by submission in Round 1!

[ #UFC308 | #InAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/uh0NuQd2rp

— UFC (@ufc) October 26, 2024

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Chimaev may now be in pole position to challenge UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis next, and in the previous fight on the UFC 308 main card Magomed Ankalaev also called for a matchup with UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira after taking a unanimous decision over Aleksandar Rakić.

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