Robert Whittaker could have “real success” as a boxing cruiserweight according to his striking coach, who is also tipping the Australian to knock Ikram Aliskerov cold in their historic Saudi Arabian headliner this Sunday (5am AEST).
The warning comes as Whittaker has also been branded both worn out and a liar by Aliskerov and his crew, with the rising Dagestani fighter also revealing he has taken advice on how to upset the Sydneysider from no less than UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Whittaker is set to make history this Sunday when he throws down against Aliskerov for the company’s first ever Saudi Arabian event at the Kingdom Arena, Riyadh.
UFC 303: PEREIRA VS PROCHAZKA 2 | SUN 30 JUNE 12PM AEST | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports. Main Event on Kayo Sports and Foxtel the exclusive home of UFC Pay-Per-View.
Speaking from inside camp this week, Whittaker’s striking coach Brian Doyle told Fox Sports Australia his charge is ready to catapult into a UFC title fight by icing a rival who is himself coming off consecutive highlight reel KOs.
Whittaker also agreed his striking has gone to another level this camp, but would not be drawn on the idea of a finish then pushing him straight into a championship showdown against whoever holds the strap later this year.
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.
Asked about Whittaker this week, Doyle – who also trains the likes of Aussie boxer Brock Jarvis and crossover fighter Curtis Scott – said he has never seen the 33-year-old look sharper with his hands.
“So I’m thinking knockout because Rob’s punching is just so sharp and the moment,” Doyle said.
“I’m biased obviously, but I actually think he could switch to boxing and have real success as a cruiserweight.
“He just moves so well and, as I said, is punching so hard.
“Honestly, I’ve never seen Rob as sharp as he is right now and, obviously, that’s the fairytale — that he brings Aliskerov onto a shot.
“So we’re excited to see what he can do.
“The more you do anything the sharper you get, faster, more powerful.
“And we’ve also made a few little adjustments to accelerate that.
“Obviously my job is to support his career and, right now, that’s in the UFC but who knows … (laughs) sometime when we’re out having a few beers I might try and drag him over to boxing.”
Strickland vs. Costa – Fight Highlights | 05:41
Whittaker agreed his striking has “definitely” gone to new levels this year and stressed he had no concerns about fighting Aliskerov on short notice following the shock withdrawal of initial opponent, undefeated UFC superstar Khamzat Chimaev.
“From the time Chimaev pulled out to getting a new name, it was hours,” the Aussie said.
“And, yes, that period was a little rough.
“I was stressed out because I wanted to fight.
“But it got sorted quickly and then we went and hit the mats straight afterwards.
“And as long as I’m healthy, I’ll fight.”
Speaking with RedCorner MMA earlier this week, Aliskerov said he called up Nurmagomedov for advice on how to fight Whittaker after being parachuted in as a late replacement for Chimaev.
“After I took the fight I called Khabib,” said the fighter coming into the contest off the back of a TKO victory against Warlley Alves at UFC 294 last October.
“He said ‘You can’t miss these chances, you have to fly here and sweat for 2-3 days.’
“We discussed (the fight) … (and Nurmagomedov said) ‘Pay attention because he’s a striker, be attentive and everything will work out’.”
Elsewhere, Aliskerov also rejected suggestions Whittaker made to the New York Post Sports at the start of the week that he had never heard of the fighter whose only lose came at the hands of Chimaev in 2019.
“I think he was lying,” Aliskerov said. “I’m sure he re-watched my fight with Khamzat a million times because he was preparing to fight him.”
Elsewhere, the Dagestani’s corner Eldar Eldarov also suggested in a separate interview at the start of fight week that Bobby Knuckles was “not a young guy”.
None of which bothers the Sydneysider who said from inside his camp: “There isn’t a single person in the world I don’t think I can beat.
“And if that mentality changes, then it will be time for me to change sports.
“Right now there isn’t a fighter out there who I believe I match up poorly with.”
Source Agencies
