After navigating through a series of opponent changes and missed fights, Ikram Aliskerov is set to make a significant impact in the middleweight division as he faces off against Robert Whittaker in the main event of this weekend’s inaugural UFC fight card in Saudi Arabia.
Emerging from Dana White's Contender Series (DWCS) Class of '22, the 31-year-old Dagestani fighter showcased his potential by securing two first-round stoppages in his debut year with the UFC. He started with a win against Phil Hawes and followed up with another victory over Warlley Alves at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi. These victories highlighted Aliskerov's potential and his esteemed position as a rising star in the 185-pound class. Initially, he was slated to face former title challenger Paulo Costa, but when that fell through, he was matched with Nassourdine Imavov at UFC 294, only for Imavov to withdraw and be replaced by Alves.
Aliskerov was scheduled to fight last weekend in Las Vegas, initially against Andre Muniz and then against newcomer Antonio Trocoli after Muniz withdrew due to a foot injury. The rescheduling allowed Aliskerov the opportunity to test his skills against former champion Whittaker in Riyadh. Facing Whittaker, often seen as a formidable penultimate challenge in the division, this fight is pivotal for Aliskerov to cement his status as a title contender.
This year has seen several underdogs step up in the UFC, with notable performances like Steve Erceg's commendable effort in his title fight loss to Alexandre Pantoja. Now, Aliskerov has a similar opportunity to rise to the occasion. This matchup offers him a chance to advance his career with minimal risk and substantial reward, potentially positioning him as a new contender in the middleweight division as the year progresses.