Khamzat Chimaev made a statement at UFC 308, forcing former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker to take a devastating face crank in the first round of their co-main event matchup. The ease with which Chimaev ran through the highly regarded Whittaker could give Chimaev the next shot at UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis. The early odds favor the challenger if the bout is the next title fight at 185 pounds.

Chimaev entered UFC 308 as the No. 13 ranked fighter official UFC middleweight rankingswhile Whittaker was ranked No. 3. Saturday’s fight card marked Chimaev’s first fight since defeating former UFC welterweight titleholder Kamaru Usman by majority decision in October 2023. The UFC had booked Whittaker vs. Chimaev for a June scrap, but it fell through. when Chimaev fell ill. Whittaker stayed on the card and scored one impressive knockout win over late substitute Ikram Aliskerov.

Chimaev entered UFC 308 healthy, and ground Whittaker.

As expected, Chimaev started the fight quickly and scored an early takedown. Whittaker was on the defensive from that moment, and the former champion did his best to prevent his foe from locking in a submission. As valiantly as he tried, Whitaker could not shake his larger opponent off his back. Chimaev’s relentless pressure allowed him to lock on a face crank at the 3:34 mark of the first round, prompting desperation from Whittaker.

After the fight, we learned that the former champion’s consent came too late, because Chimaev’s tight pressure badly injured Whittaker’s teeth and jaw.

The victorious Chimaev spoke about how the fight ended at UFC 308 post-fight press conference“Before I came in here, they showed it to me, but I felt something was wrong with his chin when I pressed it,” Chimaev said. “So I feel bad about it. I didn’t mean to break anyone’s jaw, but it’s my job to make someone pain and make me happy, my family.”

“I didn’t try to break his jaw in any way,” Chimaev added. “I just happened to get a choke and I heard something click. I thought I snapped his neck, but I guess I broke his jaw.”

In August, UFC CEO Dana White said the next UFC middleweight title fight would be one revenge between current champion Dricus du Plessis and ex-champion Sean Strickland. But should those plans fall through and the UFC books Du Plessis vs. Chimaev, the oddsmakers favor the challenger to take the title.

Chimaev betting favorite over Champ and Ex-Champ

Not long after his UFC 308 victory, BetOnline installed Chimaev as a -200 betting favorite over Du Plessis, who was listed at +170. Meanwhile, if the UFC goes with a title eliminator between Chimaev and Strickland, Chimaev is the -250 favorite over +210 Strickland.

The UFC has not officially announced a time, date or location for the potential bout between Du Plessis and Strickland. In their first meeting, which took place in January 2024, Du Plessis won the title via split decision. He defended his belt in August with a submission victory over former two-time UFC middleweight titleholder Israel Adesanya.

Chimaev moved to 14-0 with his win over Whittaker at UFC 308. He has 12 career finishes.