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UFC 308's Robert Whittaker plans to “hunt” Khamzat, the “super soldier” Chimaev, and leave “Fight Island” with a title shot

For “The Reaper,” hunting season is in full bloom.

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight champion, Robert Whittakerwelcome back Khamzat Chimaev from a year-long hiatus in this weekend's (Sat., Oct. 26, 2024) UFC 308 pay-per-view (PPV) co-main event at Etihad Arena on “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates .

Whittaker and Chimaev were scheduled to meet at UFC Saudi Arabia earlier this year; However, “Borz” dropped out a week before the fight and Whittaker was eliminated Ikrim Aliskerov (Watch highlights).

With the fight now rebooked and the two talented middleweight contenders set to face off this weekend (knock on wood), Whittaker is in hunter mode.

“I want to go into this fight and chase it, just like I planned on last fight,” Whittaker told reporters during UFC 308 media day (watch here). “I want to do it again in this fight. I am the hunter in this fight. I am the predator and I will look for him.”

While Whittaker is extremely confident heading into the decisive 185-pound showdown, he acknowledges Chimaev's abilities, even if “Borz” has shown a tendency to step up his game in the later rounds.

“Okay, whether he gassed or not, he still won those fights pretty easily,” Whittaker said. “I expect the best version of him. I expect a man who will tough it out and persevere – I've prepared myself for that.

“I've been training for this because I'm not going to train because I think if I get out in the first round it's game over,” Whittaker continued. “I'm preparing for the best version he can offer me – a super soldier. And yes, I did that… it's my duty to be there on Saturday night, show up and fight the best I can for 25 minutes, I'm not leaving this country without doing that.”

With a win at UFC 308, there's a very good chance that Whittaker will be fighting for the middleweight title in his next outing, but that's still not on his mind.

“It doesn’t bother me,” Whittaker said. “I've never really allowed things I can't control to affect how I feel or, you know, what I do. I'm here to fight. This is what I get paid for. This is how I put bread on the table for my family. You know, this is my duty to my family. So here I am.”

Can Khamzat say the same?

LIVE! Watch UFC 308 PPV on ESPN+ here!

Championship doubleheader! The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah on Saturday, October 5, 2024 with two exciting championship fights at the top. In the pay-per-view (PPV) main event of UFC 307, the light heavyweight champion became Alex Pereiraaims for his third successful title defense in 2024 as he clashes with the No. 8 contender, Khalil Rountree Jr.in a battle of fierce knockout artists. Meanwhile, the UFC 307 Championship co-headliner women's bantamweight division, Raquel Penningtondefended against the former defending champion and number 1 contender, Julianna Penain a grudge match out of time The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 18 more than a decade ago. UFC 307 will also feature the return of the former pound-for-pound star, Jose Aldoas well as Kayla Harrison, Kevin Holland and much more! The action of “SLC!” is a must-see! UFC 307The start time is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET (preliminary round card) and 10 p.m. ET (PPV main card).

Don't miss a single second of epic punching action!

Remember that MMAmania.com delivers LIVE round-by-round and blow-by-blow coverage of the entire area UFC 308 fight card Right Herestarting with the early one ESPN+ Online preliminary round games, which are scheduled to start at 10 a.m. ET (Simultaneously broadcast on ESPNews at 8pm ET), before the start time of the pay-per-view (PPV) main card 2 p.m. ET (also on ESPN+).

To read the latest and greatest news and notes on UFC 308: “Topuria vs. Holloway,” be sure to check out our comprehensive event archive Here.

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