Ikram Aliskerov, a rising Russian middleweight, has adapted to the unpredictability of fight schedules with grace and resilience. Since his knockout debut victory over Phil Hawes at UFC 288, Aliskerov has navigated through two fight cancellations and multiple opponent changes.
Despite these setbacks, he has managed to maintain a focus on performance, claiming a single victory over the past year.
Aliskerov, speaking through his translator, expressed his determination to stay active and compete, regardless of the frequent opponent swaps. Originally set to make his 2024 debut earlier, he had to withdraw from UFC 298 due to unforeseen circumstances.
The replacement for his next fight also changed after his initial opponent suffered an injury, leading UFC to bring in Antonio Trocoli as a last-minute substitute.
Despite these challenges, Aliskerov remains undeterred, eagerly accepting any competitor to ensure his participation in scheduled events.
He values the recognition of facing reputable opponents and sees every match as an opportunity to prove his prowess and advance in the middleweight ranks.
His journey in UFC so far includes memorable bouts against seasoned fighters like Warlley Alves and a disrupted matchup with Paulo Costa. Now, poised to face Trocoli, Aliskerov views this fight as another chance to showcase his skills and aim for a top 10 opponent in his future bouts.
As Aliskerov prepares for his bout this weekend at UFC APEX, he is not just focused on the fight but also on the broader landscape of the middleweight division, especially with significant matches like Robert Whittaker vs Khamzat Chimaev on the horizon.
Catch all the action live from UFC Fight Night: Perez vs Taira, starting with prelims at 7 PM ET followed by the main card at 10 PM ET, live from UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.