MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom breaks down the biggest fights in the UFC. Today he takes a closer look at the subject. UFC308 The co-main event between Khamzat Chimaev and former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker.

Khamzat Chimaev UFC 308 preview

Hamzat Chimaev

Staple information:

• Record: 13-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC
• Height: 6’2″ Age: 30 Weight: 185 lbs. Reach: 75″
• Last fight: Decision win over Kamaru Usman (October 21, 2023)
• Camp: ADMA Academy (Abu Dhabi)
• Stance/striking style: Switch-stance/kickboxing
• Risk management: Fair

Additional information:
+ National champion in freestyle wrestling (SE)
^ Won multiple year and weight divisions
+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt
+ Amateur MMA awards
+ 7 knockout victories
+ 5 submission victories
+8 first round finishes
+ KO power
+ Aggressive tempo and pressure
+ Continuous improvement of kicking and footwork
^ Solid hit from both stances
+ Prefers forehand strikes from open stance
+ Excellent wrestling ability
^ Offensively and defensively
+ Excellent transient capture
^ Good positional awareness and penalizing process

Robert Whittaker UFC 308 preview

Robert Whittaker

• Record: 27-7 MMA, 17-5 UFC
• Height: 6’0″ Age: 33 Weight: 185 lbs. Reach: 73.5″
• Last fight: Knockout win over Ikram Aliskerov (June 22, 2024)
• Camp: Gracie Jiu-jitsu Smeaton Grange (Australia)
• Stance/striking style: Orthodox/kickboxing
• Risk management: Good

Additional information:
+ Former UFC middleweight champion
+ Hapkido and karate black belt
+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt
+ Australian National Wrestling Championship gold medalist
+ 11 knockout victories
+ 5 submissions win
+7 first round finishes
+ KO power
+ Consistent tempo and pressure
+ Good footwork and distance management
^ Quick attacks and deceptive tempo changes
+ Accurate kicks and hooks
^ Stand out or come off the bench
+ Excellent wrestling ability
^ Defensively and offensively
+ General capture improved

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whittaker point of interest: Straight shooters

Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev

The co-main event of UFC 308 features a marquee matchup between two top middleweights who are no strangers to linear offense.

Even though he comes from a wrestling base, Hamzat Chimaev He seems to hit comfortably in both stances.

The Chechen warrior is able to deliver quick strikes from both sides, which helps him land powerful shots.

Unless his opponent has a good grappling history, Chimaev often spends little time extending his exchanges of strikes before changing his level and wrestling. However, in recent outings we have seen Chimaev play with a slightly more open stance.

Whether he’s throwing his favorite forehand or lining up his wicked right hand, Chimaev seems to revel in open stance matters. However, Chimaev’s skills don’t really stand out in the defensive department, so the 30-year-old will need to make sure he respects what’s coming his way this Saturday.

To enter Robert Whittaker.

Coming from a foundation of traditional martial arts, Whittaker has become one of the most unique striking stylists at 185 pounds.

Using a combination of pace, accuracy and fluid economy of movement, the Australian will attack from deceptively different angles. Like many karate-based strikers, Whittaker will make deceptive moves or display a certain speed to lure his opponent into a false sense of security, but disrupt the perceived timing with unusual strikes.

As we’ve seen in many fights, Whittaker often excels with back-legged forehands, which he uses to launch left hook variations and alternating overhead shots. The former champion also has no problem sticking to his fundamentals, creating offense with deceptive pokes and tricks.

However, Whittaker is not above being taxed for his sometimes humble approach and will need to be on his best behavior, especially early on.

Khamzat Chimaev and Robert Whittaker breakdown: Winning wrestling

Russia’s Khamzat Chimaev (black) and Nigeria’s Kamaru Usman (white) compete in their Middleweight bout during the Ultimate Fighting Championship 294 (UFC) event at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on October 21, 2023. (Photo: Giuseppe CACACE / AFP) (Photo: GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)

Given the questionable core of Chimaev’s game, winning the bout will continue to be crucial for both sides.

Chimaev, who has been wrestling since the age of five, has seemingly adapted to the grappling arts like a second nature. From a lightning-fast shot to incredible resources in the clinch, Chimaev seems to have it all from a wrestling perspective.

The 30-year-old showcases many of the freestyle (and even Greco) looks you might associate with his part of the world, but also many positional drives that traditionally come more easily to American folk-style wrestlers. And when Chimaev got behind Li Jingliang at UFC 267, the Chechen fighter showed some very proficient jiu-jitsu via rear-naked choke.

As I rewatched Khamzat Chimaev’s first amateur MMA fight and ended up in the front row for this finish, I completely forgot about the makeshift playground full of kids at cageside (*note the youngest girl cheering): pic.twitter.com/2XT9d0IWul

— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) October 1, 2020

Chimaev has displayed solid submission and wrestling defense in multiple scenarios, from the early part of his regional career to his recent fight with Gilbert Burns. Whether someone is looking for Chimaev’s legs or trying to defend again, the product of the Allstars Training Center often gives his opponent little opportunity to work, while remaining preoccupied with his own offense.

However, Whittaker proved to be much more difficult to control than many anticipated as he initially moved up to 185 pounds.

Not only does Whittaker’s footwork make it difficult for opponents to set up their shots, but the Australian also displays small technical subtleties that make it difficult to bring him down or hold him once grappled.

For example, while most fighters rely on more traditional defenses such as spreads or underhook fights, they often lose against superior grapplers because these defensive tactics involve a commitment to contact (which results in more grappling).

However, although Whittaker has the ability to use these defenses, he does not rely on them. Instead, “The Reaper” opts to block takedown attempts in the pass.

Already having a strong foundation and balance, Whittaker’s hip and grip awareness has also improved over the years.

Not only does Whittaker use clutch breaks and wrist checks, but the 33-year-old is also disciplined in constantly turning to his opponent’s weak side, which helps him prevent foes from re-rolling and chain adjustments. Even Romero had difficulty gripping or chaining in his first attempts due to Whittaker’s insistence on holding hands.

What’s even more impressive is Whittaker’s ability to go from blocking takedown attempts to closing the gap (which will also likely allow Chimaev to remain honest in his exchanges with him).

Still, if Whittaker finds himself at the bottom of this fight, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt will need to be extra careful about Chimaev’s tendency to look for underhook setups, given his front choke acumen.

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whittaker rates

Robert Whittaker defender. Ikram Aliskerov at UFC ABC 6 (via UFC)

Bettors and the public are siding with the Chechen fighter, listing Chimaev -250 and Whittaker +198 via FanDuel.

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whittaker prediction, election

Between bettors who love undefeated fighters and the promotional hype surrounding Chimaev, it doesn’t surprise me one bit to see him slot in as a moderate favorite.

Speculations about his health aside, Chimaev looks like an absolute hot mess for the first 5-7 minutes of the fight.

Only after this point does the potential candidate-turned-contestant begin to seem incredibly human. And as Arnold Schwarzenegger said in the movie PREDATOR: “If he bleeds, we can kill him.”

Chimaev may not have been healthy for his last bout with Kamaru Usman, but that doesn’t change the fact that we have yet to see Chimaev win the third frame convincingly, let alone the fourth or fifth.

Whittaker, who is very familiar with five-round matches, traditionally performs over 25 minutes due to his consistent output and ability to adapt.

Add in the fact that Whittaker generally has the upper hand against debutant fighters and I can’t help but side with the more proven product at plus money.

I’ll officially pick Whittaker to survive the early storms on his way to a stoppage via strikes late in Round 3.

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whittaker start time, where to watch

As the co-main event, Chimaev and Whittaker are expected to make their trek to the octagon at approximately 3:45 PM ET. Fight broadcasts continue ESPN+ pay per view.