Khamzat Chimaev made a powerful statement at UFC 308, submitting former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in the first round with a brutal face crank. The victory not only extended Chimaev’s undefeated streak to 14-0 (8-0 in the UFC) but also left Whittaker with severe injuries, including a dislocated jaw and dislodged teeth.
The fight was a one-sided affair from the start. Chimaev immediately took Whittaker down and maintained full control, neutralizing the Australian’s attempts to escape. After securing Whittaker’s back, Chimaev applied the face crank, forcing an instant tap as a loud popping sound echoed through the arena.
After the fight, UFC commentator Daniel Cormier shared a disturbing photo of Whittaker’s injuries, revealing three dislodged bottom teeth and the extent of the jaw dislocation. “Khamzat broke his tooth and dislocated his jaw in two seconds—it was unbelievable,” Cormier commented during the broadcast.
In the post-fight press conference, Chimaev acknowledged the severity of the injury. “I felt his jaw move when I locked the submission. It’s not my intention to hurt anyone, but this is the fight game,” Chimaev said.
With the victory, Chimaev is now positioned for a middleweight title shot. The division’s champion, Dricus du Plessis, has already defeated top contenders Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland, making Chimaev the likely next challenger.
Chimaev expressed his eagerness for a title opportunity, calling out the UFC directly: “Whittaker is a legend, but I want the belt. Dana, what’s wrong? Give me the title fight. No one wants to fight me!”
Meanwhile, Whittaker will undergo oral surgery to repair the damage caused by the submission. His defeat marks a tough setback in his career, but he is expected to recover and return to competition in the future.
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