Robert Whittaker vs. Ikram Aliskerov pick, time: UFC on ABC 6

MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom goes in depth to interrupt down the largest fights within the UFC. In the present day, he takes a more in-depth take a look at the UFC on ABC 6 predominant occasion between former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker and short-notice opponent Ikram Aliskerov.

Robert Whittaker UFC on ABC 6 preview

Robert Whittaker

Staple data:

Report: 25-7 MMA, 16-5 UFC
Top: 6’0″ Age: 33 Weight: 185 lbs. Attain: 73.5″
Final battle: Resolution win over Paul Costa (Feb. 17, 2024)
Camp: Gracie Jiu-jitsu Smeaton Grange (Australia)
Stance/placing fashion: Orthodox/kickboxing
Danger administration: Good

Supplemental data:+ Former UFC middleweight champion+ Hapkido and karate black belt+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt+ Australian Nationwide Wrestling Championships gold medal+ 10 knockout victories+ 5 submission wins+ 6 first-round finishes+ KO energy+ Constant tempo and strain+ Good footwork and distance administration^ Fast blitzes and misleading tempo modifications+ Correct jabs and hooks^ Coming ahead or off the counter+ Glorious wrestling skill^ Defensively and offensively+ Improved general grappling

Ikram Aliskerov UFC on ABC 6 preview

Ikram Aliskerov, UFC 294

Staple data:

Report: 15-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC
Top: 6’0″ Age: 31 Weight: 185 lbs. Attain: 76″
Final battle: TKO win over Warlley Alves (Oct. 21, 2023)
Camp: KHK MMA Workforce (Russia)
Stance/placing fashion: Orthodox/kickboxing
Danger administration: Good

Supplemental data:+ Fight sambo world champion+ A number of sambo titles (European and world)+ Newbie MMA accolades+ 6 knockout victories+ 5 submission wins+ 7 first-round finishes+ KO energy^ Naturally heavy arms+ Correct jab+ Strong sense of vary+ Robust contained in the clinch^ Competent takedown chains+ Glorious wrestling skill^ Defensively and offensively+ Good transitional grappler^ Harmful with kimuras

Robert Whittaker vs. Ikram Aliskerov focal point: Jabbers, not jobbers

Feb 17, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Robert Whittaker lands a jab in opposition to Paulo Costa throughout UFC 298 at Honda Middle. Obligatory Credit score: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports activities

The primary occasion in Saudi Arabia options an impromptu middleweight matchup between two proficient fighters who aren’t afraid to make use of their jab.

Coming from a standard martial arts base, Robert Whittaker has developed into some of the distinctive placing stylists at 185 kilos.

Utilizing a mix of pace, accuracy and a fluid economic system of motion, the Australian will deceptively blitz off totally different angles. Like many karate-based strikers, Whittaker will feint or present a sure pace to attract his opponent right into a false sense of safety, solely to disrupt the perceived timing with off-beat strikes.

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As we’ve seen in a number of fights, Whittaker typically will assert himself by means of rear-legged entrance kicks that he makes use of to launch himself into variations of left hooks and shifting overhand pictures. The previous champ additionally has no subject in the case of sticking to his fundamentals, constructing offense off of misleading jabs and feints.

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That mentioned, Whittaker will not be past being taxed for his generally low-handed strategy and can should be on his finest habits reverse a competitor like Ikram Aliskerov.

Regardless of coming from an in depth sambo background, Aliskerov has steadily been bettering his placing for these paying consideration.

Well prioritizing his lead hand, Aliskerov plies a deceptively efficient jab at vary. The 31-year-old will sometimes play off his jab, providing up change-ups within the type of hook-cross combos.

When feeling in Stride, Aliskerov will connect kicks or knees to his combos, working significantly nicely off his lead facet. Though Aliskerov’s choices off of the lead facet ought to serve him nicely on paper, the Dagestani’s A-game is arguably on the bottom.

Robert Whittaker vs. Ikram Aliskerov breakdown: Potential grappling threats

Ikram Aliskerov def. Warlley Alves, UFC 294

Contemplating Aliskerov’s grappling prowess, nobody ought to be shocked if the Dagestani fighter makes an attempt to take this social gathering to the ground this Saturday.

A world and European champion in sambo, Aliskerov is not any stranger to closed-quarter fight. Like many high-level operators out of Dagestan, Aliskerov does his finest work from the clinch – a spot the place he can chain to and from takedown makes an attempt.

Whether or not Aliserkov is working from bodylock positions or single-leg variations, the 12-year professional doesn’t appear to be quick on concepts on this house. Aliskerov additionally retains strong reactive takedown pictures in his again pocket, which may turn out to be useful in opposition to a blitzing “Bobby Knuckles.”

That mentioned, Whittaker has confirmed to be way more troublesome to floor than many presumed.

Except for the truth that Whittaker’s footwork makes it troublesome for his opponents to arrange their pictures, the Australian additionally reveals the small technical intricacies that make him laborious to floor or maintain down when grasped.

For instance, whereas most fighters are reliant on extra conventional defenses reminiscent of sprawls or battles for under-hooks, they usually find yourself dropping out to superior grapplers since these defensive ways contain a dedication to contact (which in flip begets extra grappling).

Whereas Whittaker, although able to utilizing these defenses, doesn’t depend on them. As an alternative, “The Reaper” prefers to move off takedown makes an attempt on the cross.

Already possessing a robust base and stability, Whittaker’s hip and grip consciousness even have improved by means of the years.

Not solely does Whittaker make the most of grip breaks and wrist controls, however the 33-year-old can be disciplined about constantly circling out to his opponent’s weak facet, which helps dissuade re-shots and takedown chain changes from his foes. Even Romero had problem greedy or chaining off his preliminary makes an attempt resulting from Whittaker’s persistence to battle arms.

What’s much more spectacular is Whittaker’s skill to go from thwarting takedown makes an attempt to placing off the breaks, one thing that may even doubtless hold Aliskerov sincere in exchanges with him.

Ikram Aliskerov’s Funky Kimura Strats pic.twitter.com/lSIOVlAIOI

— Jack Slack (@JackSlackMMA) June 12, 2024

Nonetheless, if Whittaker does discover himself on the underside on this battle, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt will should be additional cautious together with his propensity to search for underhook getups given Aliskerov’s knack for locating kimuras.

Robert Whittaker vs. Ikram Aliskerov odds

Regardless of the oddsmakers opening this battle at a choose’em, public cash has come within the former champion, itemizing Whittaker -154 and Aliskerov +120 by way of FanDuel.

Robert Whittaker vs. Ikram Aliskerov prediction, choose

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 17: Robert Whittaker of New Zealand celebrates defeating Paulo Costa of Brazil of their middleweight battle throughout UFC 298 at Honda Middle on February 17, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Picture by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Photos)

Contemplating that Whittaker is a way more confirmed product on paper, I can fully perceive the early enthusiasm for bettors backing the Australian on this spot.

That mentioned, I stand by my preliminary feeling that Aliskerov is a deceptively trickier job than Whittaker’s authentic opponent – Khamzat Chimaev – from a stylistic perspective.

Don’t get me unsuitable: Chimaev gives a hell of an early storm to climate on paper, however Whittaker has historically executed nicely in opposition to aggressive, grapple-heavy fighters.

Aliskerov, nevertheless, gives a a lot totally different ask on condition that the Dagestani fighter is extra essentially sound than Chimaev and seems to have the ability to battle at a strong tempo for 3 rounds. Furthermore, Aliskerov is among the many handful of first rate jabber within the division, which may pay some potential dividends contemplating the success Costa had when jabbing in Whittaker’s final battle.

However between Aliskerov’s inexperience at this degree and the truth that final week’s shakeup impacts him extra with the a number of weight cuts compounded with journey at hand, I can’t assist however facet with the pace and savvy of Whittaker.

I imagine that Whittaker can have success together with his kicks at distance and timing change-ups in shut, probably producing his first end since 2017. The choose is Whittaker by knockout in Spherical 3.

Robert Whittaker vs. Ikram Aliskerov begin time, the place to observe

As the primary occasion, Whittaker and Aliskerov are anticipated to make their walks to the octagon at roughly 5 p.m. ET. The battle broadcasts dwell on ABC and streams on ESPN+.

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC on ABC 6.