The upcoming UFC Saudi Arabia card, scheduled for June 22 in Riyadh at the Kingdom Arena, is undergoing a significant change in the main event matchup. Former UFC champion and No. 3-ranked middleweight Robert Whittaker is getting a new opponent as Khamzat Chimaev, the No-10-ranked middleweight, has had to withdraw due to illness. In his place, Russia’s Ikram Aliskerov will be stepping up to face Whittaker, confirmed by a video message from UFC CEO Dana White describing Chimaev’s condition as ‘violently ill’. Aliskerov was initially set to face Antonio Trócoli in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 93 but will now be facing Whittaker in Saudi Arabia.
Aliskerov, though unranked, has a seven-fight win streak and history with Chimaev, having suffered a KO loss to him in 2019 in Brave CF. His Islamic faith also made him a logical choice to step in as Whittaker’s opponent in Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately, Trócoli, a Brazilian veteran with high hopes in the UFC, had his fight with Aliskerov abruptly canceled. This was supposed to be his second chance in the UFC after a previous win was overturned due to a failed drug test, resulting in a fine and suspension for Trócoli.
The new co-main event of UFC Vegas 93 will feature Douglas Silva de Andrade facing Miles Johns. The reworked UFC Saudi Arabia card now includes matches such as Robert Whittaker vs. Ikram Aliskerov, Sergei Pavlovich vs. Alexander Volkov, and Kelvin Gastelum vs. Daniel Rodriguez, among others. Be on the lookout for more updates on the event as it draws closer on June 22.
