MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom goes deep to break down the biggest fights in the UFC. Today he takes a closer look UFC 308 co-main event between Khamzat Chimaev and former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker.

Khamzat Chimaev UFC 308 preview

Khamzat Chimaev

Staple information:

• Record: 13-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC
• Height: 6’2″ Age: 30 Weight: 185 lbs. Reach: 75 inches
• Final Fight: Decisive victory over Kamaru Usman (October 21, 2023)
• Camp: ADMA Academy (Abu Dhabi)
• Stance/Strike: Switch-stance/kickboxing
• Risk Management: Fair

Additional info:
+ National champion in freestyle wrestling (SE)
^ Won multiple years and weight divisions
+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt
+ Amateur MMA Awards
+ 7 KO wins
+ 5 submission wins
+ 8 finishes in the first round
+ KO power
+ Aggressive pace and pressure
+ Constantly improve hitting and footwork
^ Solid impact from both stances
+ Prefer front kicks from open stance
+ Excellent wrestling ability
^ Offensive and defensive
+ Excellent transition grip
^ Good positional awareness and penalty process

Robert Whittaker UFC 308 preview

Robert Whittaker

• Record: 27-7 MMA, 17-5 UFC
• Height: 6’0″ Age: 33 Weight: 185 lbs. Reach: 73.5 inches
• Final Fight: Knockout victory over Ikram Aliskerov (June 22, 2024)
• Camp: Gracie Jiu-jitsu Smeaton Grange (Australia)
• Stance/Striking Style: Orthodox/Kickboxing
• Risk management: Good

Additional info:
+ Former UFC middleweight champion
+ Hapkido and karate black belt
+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt
+ Australian National Wrestling Championships gold medal
+ 11 knockout victories
+ 5 submission wins
+ 7 finishes in the first round
+ KO power
+ Consistent pace and pressure
+ Good footwork and distance management
^ Rapid flashes and deceptive tempo changes
+ Accurate bumps and hooks
^ Appears on or off the counter
+ Excellent wrestling ability
^ Defensive and offensive
+ Improved overall grappling

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whittaker points of interest: Straight shooters

Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev

The co-main event for UFC 308 features an important matchup between two top-ranked middleweights who are no strangers to operating from a linear offense.

Even though I come from a wrestling base, Khamzat Chimaev seems to be comfortable hitting from both sides.

The Chechen fighter can throw stingy jabs from both sides, which in turn helps him follow up with power shots.

Unless his opponent has a decent grappling pedigree, Chimaev usually wastes little time extending striking exchanges before attempting to change his level and grapple. But in recent outings, we’ve seen Chimaev play a bit more with an open eye on his feet.

Whether he’s throwing his favorite kick or looking to set up a vicious right hand, Chimaev seems to be getting a taste for open stance. That said, Chimaev’s skills don’t exactly shine through in the defensive department, so the 30-year-old will have to make sure he respects what comes back at him this Saturday.

Enter Robert Whittaker.

Hailing from a traditional martial arts base, Whittaker has developed into one of the most unique striking stylists at 185 pounds.

Using a combination of speed, accuracy and a fluid economy of movement, the Australian will deceptively clear various angles. Like many karate-based strikers, Whittaker will feint or show some speed to lull his opponent into a false sense of security, only to disrupt the perceived timing with off-beat strikes.

As we’ve seen in several fights, Whittaker will often assert himself through rear leg kicks that he uses to throw in variations of left hooks and shifting overhand shots. The former champion also has no problem sticking to his basics, building offense from deceptive jabs and feints.

That said, Whittaker is not above being taxed for his sometimes low-key approach and will need to be on his best behavior – especially early on.

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whittaker breakdown: Winning the wrestling match

Russia’s Khamzat Chimaev (black) and Nigeria’s Kamaru Usman (white) compete in their middleweight bout during Ultimate Fighting Championship 294 (UFC) at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on October 21, 2023. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP) ( Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/ AFP via Getty Images)

Given the controversial nature of Chimaev’s game, winning the fight will remain crucial for both parties.

Wrestling since the age of five, Chimaev has seemingly adapted to the grappling arts like second nature. From a lightning quick shot to an incredible ability in the clinch, Chimaev seems to have it all from a wrestling perspective.

The 30-year-old exhibits much of the freestyle (and even Greco) look you’d associate with his part of the world, but also displays many of the positional moves that are traditionally easier for American folkstyle wrestlers. And when Chimaev took the back of Li Jingliang at UFC 267, the Chechen fighter displayed some very competent jiu-jitsu to close to show via rear naked choke.

Rewatching Khamzat Chimaev’s first amateur MMA fight and completely forgetting about the makeshift playpen full of the baby carrier that ended up getting a front row seat for this finish (*note the youngest girl cheering): pic.twitter.com/2XT9d0IWul

— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) October 1, 2020

From the beginning of his regional career to his more recent fight with Gilbert Burns, Chimaev has shown solid submission and wrestling defense in multiple scenarios. Whether looking for Chimaev’s leg or trying to reguard, the Allstars Training Center product usually gives his opposition very little to work with – all while he’s busy with his own offense.

That said, Whittaker has proven to be much more difficult to control than many assumed he would when he initially moved up to 185 pounds.

Aside from the fact that Whittaker’s footwork makes it difficult for his opponents to line up their shots, the Australian also displays the small technical intricacies that make him difficult to mark or hold down when he is grappled.

For example, while most fighters rely on more traditional defenses like sprawls or fighting for under-hooks, they usually end up losing to superior grapplers because these defensive tactics involve a commitment to contact (which in turn leads to more grappling) .

Whereas Whittaker, although he can use these defenses, doesn’t trust them. Instead, “The Reaper” prefers to fend off takedown attempts at the pass.

Whittaker’s hip and grip awareness already has a strong base and balance and has improved over the years.

Not only does Whittaker employ grip breaks and wrist checks, but the 33-year-old is also disciplined in consistently circling out to his opponent’s weak side, helping to discourage turnovers and chain adjustments from his foes. Even Romero had difficulty grappling or chaining off his first attempts due to Whittaker’s tenacity to fight hands.

What’s even more impressive is Whittaker’s ability to go from countering takedown attempts to hitting the breaks (which will also likely keep Chimaev honest in exchanges with him).

Still, if Whittaker finds himself on the bottom in this fight, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt will have to be extra careful with his propensity to look for underhooks given Chimaev’s front choke mind.

Khamzat Chimaev vs Robert Whittaker odds

Robert Whittaker def. Ikram Aliskerov, UFC on ABC 6 (via UFC)

Oddsmakers and the general public are siding with the Chechen fighter, listing Chimaev -250 and Whittaker +198 via FanDuel.

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whittaker prediction, election

Between bookies loving undefeated fighters to the hype that has been placed on Chimaev, seeing him installed as a moderate favorite doesn’t shock me in the slightest.

Aside from speculation about his health, Chimaev is hell on wheels in the first 5-7 minutes of a fight.

But after that point, the prospect-turned-challenger starts to look incredibly human. And as Arnold Schwarzenegger said in the movie PREDATOR, “If it bleeds, we can kill it.”

Chimaev may not have been healthy for his last outing against Kamaru Usman, but that doesn’t change the fact that we have yet to see Chimaev convincingly win a third frame, let alone a fourth or fifth.

While Whittaker, who is very familiar with five innings, traditionally makes it past 25 minutes due to his consistent production and ability to adapt.

Add in the fact that Whittaker usually excels against grapple-first fighters, and I can’t help but side with the more proven product for the extra money.

I will officially pick Whittaker to survive the early storms en route to a stoppage via strikes coming late into round 3.

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whittaker start time, where to watch

As the co-main event, Chimaev and Whittaker are expected to make their walks to the Octagon around 3:45 PM ET. The fight is streaming live ESPN+ pay-per-view.