In an eventful night of UFC action at Saudi Arabia, Khamzat Chimaev, the middleweight contender, closely watched as Robert Whittaker delivered a stunning knockout victory. Chimaev was scheduled to face Whittaker in the main event, but unfortunately, he had to withdraw due to a violent illness.

Stepping in on short notice was Ikram Aliskerov, who had previously faced Chimaev and suffered a loss. Despite his best efforts, Aliskerov was brutally knocked out in the first round, rocked and dropped early on. Whittaker's dominant performance has now led him to consider stepping in as a back-up for the UFC 305 headliner in August.

Chimaev, who has been out of action since October of the previous year, took to social media to react to Whittaker's massive win. In a translated message, he congratulated Whittaker, stating, "Congratulations @robwhittakermma, we are not done!" Chimaev also sent well-wishes to Aliskerov, urging him to stay strong and recover quickly.

However, the future seems uncertain for Chimaev as he may have to wait a few more months for his next fight. This could set a concerning trend for the Swede, who previously experienced a lengthy absence following his victory against Kevin Holland. Despite this, Chimaev remains determined and ready to face Whittaker, hinting at a potential rematch.

Meanwhile, Whittaker has expressed his interest in stepping in as a replacement for Israel Adesanya's middleweight title challenge at UFC 305 in August. Dana White, the UFC President, has shown support for this idea, and Whittaker is eager for a rematch with Dricus Du Plessis, the only man aside from Adesanya to defeat him at 185lb.

During the post-fight press conference, Whittaker emphasized his improvement since his previous encounter with Du Plessis, acknowledging his opponent's skill but expressing confidence in his abilities. He stated his desire for a rematch to prove that he can perform better. Whittaker's determination to run it back reflects his determination to regain his status as a top contender in the middleweight division.

As the dust settles on the thrilling fights at UFC Saudi Arabia, the attention now turns to the future of both Chimaev and Whittaker. Will Chimaev recover in time to face Whittaker in a highly anticipated showdown? Or will Whittaker secure an opportunity to reclaim his throne as he aims for a rematch with Du Plessis? UFC fans eagerly await the next chapter in this captivating middleweight division saga.