Khamzat Chimaev returned in emphatic fashion.
Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) ran through former champion Robert Whittaker (27-8 MMA, 17-6 UFC) to secure a face crank submission at the 3:34 mark of Round 1. The middleweight bout was the UFC 308 co-main event at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Less than 20 seconds into the fight, Chimaev stormed in with a takedown. He was able to get one hook in as he worked for the rear-naked choke. Whittaker defended well, as Chimaev continously tried to drag him down. Chimaev finally took his back, but Whittaker exploded out. However, Chimaev was able to jump on his back again. His pressure proved to be too much as he was finally able to get across Whittaker’s face, forcing him to tap quickly.
IT'S OVER! Khamzat Chimaev chokes out Robert Whittaker in ROUND ONE 😱
Watch #UFC308 in UK/Ireland ➡️ https://t.co/2kha10wNbK 📺@VisitAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/r5oC5xK0N7
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) October 26, 2024
Still undefeated, Chimaev matched his energy on the mic, urging the UFC to give him a title shot.
Up-to-the-minute UFC 308 results include:
- Khamzat Chimaev def. Robert Whittaker via submission (face crank) – Round 1, 3:34
- Magomed Ankalaev def. Aleksandar Rakic via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Lerone Murphy def. Dan Ige via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Shara Magomedov def. Armen Petrosyan via TKO (spinning back fist) – Round 2, 4:52
- Ibo Aslan def. Rafael Cerqueira via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:51
- Geoff Neal def. Rafael dos Anjos via TKO (knee injury) – Round 1, 1:40
- Mateusz Rebecki def. Myktybek Orolbai via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Abus Magomedov def. Brunno Ferreira via submission (arm triangle) – Round 3, 3:14
- Kennedy Nzechukwu def. Chris Barnett via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:27
- Farid Basharat def. Victor Hugo via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Ismail Naurdiev def. Bruno Silva via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Rinat Fakhretdinov def. Carlos Leal via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.
