Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev Set To Headline UFC Saudi Arabia On June 22

Whittaker, Chimaev Collide In Potential UFC Middleweight Title Eliminator 

With both men coming off wins at 185 pounds, the UFC Saudi Arabia main event this summer could see one contender stake their claim for a shot at Dricus Du Plessis' title.

Whittaker (25-7) has been pursuing the gold at 185 pounds since being dethroned by Israel Adesanya back in 2019. And having fallen short of redemption in their 2022 rematch, "The Reaper" had his push for a third showdown with "The Last Stylebender" stalled by then-future champ Du Plessis last July at UFC 290.

But the Australian once again kept his name in the championship conversation in his return to action at UFC 298 in Anaheim last month, where he emerged victorious from a barnburner against former title challenger Paulo Costa.

Although he expressed interest in a home fight at the event in Perth, Australia, this August, Whittaker has instead got the call for a crucial showdown in Riyadh opposite Chimaev (13-). "Borz" initially rose into the top five as a welterweight thanks to victories over Li Jingliang and Gilbert Burns.

After a weight miss saw his planned scrap with Nate Diaz canceled, the Chechen-born star moved up to middleweight last year at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi. When an infection forced Paulo Costa out, Chimaev instead faced and narrowly defeated a replacement opponent in ex-welterweight titleholder Kamaru Usman.

With "Borz" occupying #11 in the rankings, and with many doubting his credentials in the weight class after the competitive nature of his win over Usman, the Whittaker fight on June 22 provides the opportunity for Chimaev to rise the pecking order and signal his intent as a middleweight.