Although having two weight cuts in a two week span has not been fun, Ikram Aliskerov plans to make the most of a massive opportunity in his first UFC main event.
With Khamzat Chimaev falling ill and off of Saturday’s card, Aliskerov steps in on just nine days’ notice to face former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in the headliner of UFC Saudi Arabia. Aliskerov was slated to meet Antonio Trocoli this past weekend at UFC Vegas 93 before booking the biggest fight of his career.
While it may be a step up in competition, Aliskerov aims to send a message to the 185-pound division on Saturday.
“I’m not used to being the prey over there in the octagon,” Aliskerov said via a translator at UFC Saudi Arabia media day. “I’m not used to somebody hunting me, so I’m going to be the one that’s going to surprise him, and unpleasantly surprise him about being a hunter, myself. And I’m going to make sure I do whatever I need to do to finish the fight.”
Aliskerov enters the bout on a seven-fight win streak, including two first-round knockout victories to begin his UFC tenure against Phil Hawes and Warlley Alves. Aliskerov’s lone pro loss in 16 outings came against Chimaev at a Brave Combat Federation event in 2019.
The 31-year-old was a day away from weighing in for his bout with Trocoli before getting the call to fight Whittaker. Now, Aliskerov has had to go through the process all over again.
“Yeah, it’s not a fun process to say the least,” Aliskerov explained. “I was almost on weight back then. I was drinking water, pretty much made the weight, then I stopped drinking water, and then when I found out about the fight [with Whittaker], I had to stop the process, kind of hold the weight that I was at at that point for a couple of days, then come [to Saudi Arabia], start [drinking] water again, and then stop again because this is the same weight we stopped at last week.
“So it’s not a fun process, but this is sport. This is what we do. This is something we have to be ready for.”
from MMA Fighting - All Posts https://ift.tt/P6CyrDi
0 Comments
Dear valued readers,
I am writing to you today as LaPhezz, an international man of mystery with a passion for technology and a fascination for analytics. I have traveled the world and lived in many different places, and I have experienced a wide range of cultures and perspectives.
Despite my travels and encounters with countless people from all walks of life, I remain something of an enigma. My true identity is known to only a select few, and even those who know me well are often left guessing at my motivations and intentions.
As a tech enthusiast, I am always looking for new ways to leverage data and analytics to solve complex problems and make the world a better place. I believe that technology can be a powerful tool for positive change, and I am constantly exploring the latest trends and innovations in the field.
I am grateful to have such a diverse and engaged readership, and I am always eager to hear your feedback and insights. Whether you have questions about my work, suggestions for new topics to explore, or simply want to connect with a fellow tech enthusiast, I am always here to listen and engage.
Thank you for your continued support and interest in my work. Together, we can use technology and analytics to create a brighter, more connected world.
Best regards,
LaPhezz