Workforce Khabib Stands Behind Ikram Aliskerov as Islam Makhachev Sends a Message – “We Know What You…”

Ikram Aliskerov suffered a humiliating knockout loss to former champion Robert Whittaker within the first spherical. Headlining the UFC’s historic first-ever Saudi Arabia card in opposition to the previous champion, Aliskerov took the combat on barely every week’s discover as a result of Khamzat Chimaev pulled out after falling ‘violently in poor health.’ Going into the bout, Aliskerov, unranked and barely two fights into his UFC profession, was adjudged solely a slight underdog by bookmakers.

Nevertheless, the ever-dangerous, fan-favorite veteran proved too good for the newcomer, displaying there have been certainly ranges to this recreation. And the Dagestani clearly wasn’t on his degree. However light-weight champion Islam Makhachev, in a social media put up, inspired and motivated Aliskerov to maintain going and never be discouraged by the powerful loss.

Islam Makhachev’s heartfelt message for Ikram Aliskerov after loss

Islam Makhachev took to his Instagram Story with some phrases of encouragement for his fellow Dagestani after the latter’s powerful loss to Whittaker. “Your greatest days are nonetheless forward, defeats usually are not a motive to be upset. We all know what you’re able to,” the reigning light-weight champion wrote.

Aliskerov, in fact, comes from the identical inventory as Islam Makhachev, along with his coaches having been educated underneath Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s father, Abdulmanap. ‘The Eagle’ just lately revealed that Aliskerov had additionally educated with him once they had been each kids. In truth, ‘The Eagle’ has been very complimentary of Aliskerov and his work ethic, terming the Dagestani middleweight a “future star”.

Aliskerov does don’t have anything to be frightened about. In spite of everything, he was going into the Whittaker bout with each drawback. Not solely was he taking the combat on quick discover, which gave him barely every week to organize for one of many absolute best middleweights on this planet and give you a recreation plan for him, however he additionally needed to journey to Saudi Arabia and get acclimatized there; once more, inside every week.

Whereas the Dagestani would have been in combating form provided that he final fought simply a few weeks in the past, his first-round knockout has indicated that maybe he isn’t prepared but to combat the top-ranked guys within the UFC’s stacked 185-pound division. This can be a large loss for Ikram Aliskerov since a win (or perhaps a shut loss) would have seen him storm not solely into the middleweight division rankings but in addition into the title image. Allow us to now have a look at how the opposite matchups on the principle card went.

How did different stars fare at UFC’s first Saudi Arabia card?

Within the co-main occasion of the Saudi card, Alexander Volkov took on the knockout artist and long-time sparring associate, Sergei Pavlovich. The combat went the gap, with Volkov, effectively conscious of his fellow Russian’s devastating and concussive energy, placed on a clinic in distance and vary administration, and went on to win a unanimous resolution on the finish of their three-round bout.

As well as, one-eyed middleweight dynamo Sharaputdin Magomedov continued his undefeated run, scoring a knockout victory over Antonio Trocoli of their fundamental card bout. Former title contender Kelvin Gastelum, too, went again to successful methods after the latest worrying skid in his type and managed to win a unanimous resolution over Daniel Rodriguez of their middleweight bout.

Within the opening bout of the principle card, #9 ranked Volkan Oezdemir knocked out #7 Johnny Walker, which is prone to deliver him nearer title shot. What are your ideas on the UFC’s first Saudi card? Tell us within the feedback.