In a bold display of readiness and skill, Robert Whittaker knocked out Ikram Aliskerov just 1 minute and 49 seconds into their middleweight main event at UFC Fight Night. The event marked the UFC’s inaugural trip to Saudi Arabia, aiming to rival Las Vegas as the “Fight Capital of the World.”

Originally slated to fight undefeated middleweight Khamzat Chimaev, Whittaker faced a last-minute opponent change when Chimaev withdrew due to illness. The UFC substituted Chimaev with Aliskerov, a rising star with only two prior UFC fights. This switch presented a high-risk, low-reward scenario for Whittaker, but he accepted the challenge.

“I told everybody, I am the boogeyman,” Whittaker declared post-fight. “I’m the best in the world and the most dangerous matchup for anyone in the division. I’ll take a fight anywhere, anytime. I proved it tonight.”

Despite Whittaker’s former champion status, the betting odds closed nearly even. Aliskerov, 31, hailing from Dagestan like retired lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, had not lost since 2019, with his only prior defeat coming from Chimaev.

Whittaker, known for his resilience, quickly demonstrated his prowess. Just over a minute into the fight, he landed a counter right hand that staggered Aliskerov. Whittaker followed with a jab, driving Aliskerov back to the fence, and then delivered a decisive right uppercut. Referee Marc Goddard stepped in as Aliskerov, clearly incapacitated, attempted to recover on his knees.

A loss could have derailed Whittaker’s momentum in the middleweight division, where his only three losses in the UFC have come against current champion Dricus Du Plessis and former champion Israel Adesanya. Both are set to clash at UFC 305 in August in Perth, Australia. Whittaker’s victory ensures he remains a significant contender for the title.

In his post-fight comments, Whittaker expressed willingness for a quick turnaround, hinting at a potential fight at UFC 305. His decisive win over Aliskerov keeps him firmly in the middleweight title conversation.