Khamzat Chimaev runs through Robert Whittaker to keep perfect record intact at UFC 308
Whittaker believed he had suffered a disclocated jaw from Chimaev’s first-round submission
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Khamzat Chimaev sprinted to a first-round win against Robert Whittaker at UFC 308, submitting the former champion in round one.
The Russian took down Whittaker early on, before applying relentless grappling pressure throughout the round.
Whittaker initially defended well, as Chimaev alternated between strikes and choke attempts, with the Australian trapped on the mat and against the fence.
But those alternations eventually caught out Whittaker, as Chimaev applied a face crank and forced an instant tap from the 33-year-old.
Chimaev, 30, later said he felt Whittaker’s jaw “click” as he applied the submission, while Whittaker reportedly said he believed his jaw had been dislocated.
The result kept Chimaev unbeaten at 14-0 and might have earned him a shot at the middleweight title.
However, he must stay fit to secure that shot; the Russian, who now resides in the UAE where UFC 308 took place, has suffered from health issues in recent years.
In June, he was due to fight Whittaker in Saudi Arabia but withdrew on short notice, due to “violent” illness. He also seems to have struggled with the effects of long Covid.
In the main event of UFC 308, Ilia Topuria knocked out Max Holloway in round three to retain the men’s featherweight belt.
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