Bragging rights: Whittaker vs Aliskerov: Who wins and how?

[svmr_db]

Predict the main event for bragging rights! Who wins and by what method of victory? Lock in your pick before it the poll closes!

Spoiler

Had to make the thread again after I botched the poll lol

 

[sdpdude9]

I know Whittaker is levels above anybody Ikram has faced so it’s easy to pick against him. But I’ve found that reasoning is flawed. Just because a fighter hasn’t fought a higher level of competition does not mean they are incapable of succeeding. That’s been proven wrong many times. I don’t know why but I just have a bad feeling about Whittaker in this one. Going Ikram by TKO.

 

[ArmenianAssasin]

We really don’t know how good Ikram is so this is a real crap shoot

That being said Whitaker by UD leaning heavier on the later rounds and experience

 

[Kenny Powerth]

I got Knuckles with a late finish

 

[BEATDOWNS]

I'll try to remember what i put in the first thread Robs wins aren't really bad considering who he has fought blah blah Aliskerov is still a noob blah blah. Rob by decision.

 

[Arm Barbarian]

Whittaker via decision after getting rocked early.

 

[TempleoftheDog]

Whittaker by decision.

Bummed out about Borz pulling out, though.

Sick of the pullouts these days.

 

[mkt]

I know Whittaker is levels above anybody Ikram has faced so it’s easy to pick against him. But I’ve found that reasoning is flawed. Just because a fighter hasn’t fought a higher level of competition does not mean they are incapable of succeeding. That’s been proven wrong many times. I don’t know why but I just have a bad feeling about Whittaker in this one. Going Ikram by TKO.

Yeah, there's a lot of uncertainty here. As some of us discussed in another thread, Whittaker seems to be exiting his prime gradually. He's still a very good fighter but showing some signs of aging (gets rocked more, his reflexes don't seem as good as they were in his 20s). I think a KO/TKO is possible, and there's a small chance Ikram could win via GnP or submission if he can take and keep Whittaker down. That's never been an easy task, but I think DDP got at least one TD against Robert?

If I had to pick, I'd probably go with Whittaker based on his experience, strong/well-rounded skillset and the fact he had a full camp to prepare for as similar opponent (sambo guy with heavy hands and a brawling-type striking style). But it's a hard fight to predict.

 

[Matt Brown's Elbow]

Why did you delete my comment bro? Bobby Knuckles via 2nd round TKO

 

[svmr_db]

Why did you delete my comment bro? Bobby Knuckles via 2nd round TKO

Didn't delete anyone's comments, I had to delete the original thread because I botched the poll and everyone's votes weren't visible.

 

[Matt Brown's Elbow]

Didn't delete anyone's comments, I had to delete the original thread because I botched the poll and everyone's votes weren't visible.

Ahhh I see, no problem sherbro. I take back my comment. My apologies

 

[Conan the K-9]

Desert doctor stoppage is missing from the poll?

 

[Tweak896]

Going to go against the grain, Ikram puts the nail in the coffin for Whittaker being out of his prime. I just think Whittaker has too much mileage and DDP first exposed that. Hell even Costa was close, I think Ikram is better than Costa. I feel confident about it, like Ikram is a lock weirdly.

 

[fighters_respect]

Whittaker KO/TKO punches.

 

[HNIC215]

I like Rob and wish him well but...

 

[RonDante]

Ikram by early tko or rob by decision where ikram proves he’s elite by hanging in there and making it competitive the entire time

 

[Friendly Farmer]

I'll be rooting for Rob but this might be the one where it goes downhill. Aliskerov by TKO.

 

[stiltfoxx]

Such an interesting fight given Aliskerov is filling in for Khamzat – the one man to knock him out. And if he beats Whittaker he’ll effectively replace Khamzat as the leading Islamic fighter at Middleweight (given he has Khabib’s backing).

We know the Aliskerov has knock out power and also really good sambo. Rob has been preparing for the wrestling of Khamzat and also his intense first-round heavy style. I think Aliskerov will be both a lot more patient than Khamzat and is a better striker and has a much more sambo trip heavy-style. Rob has this reputation as this anti-wrestler but how will this cope against Sambo?

It will be interesting to see how Rob copes with Aliskerov’s power. He has proved very durable at Middleweight but how far is time catching up with him?

For Aliskerov – the doubt weight and not having time to acclimatise in Saudi are the unknowns. But I expect him to finish Rob in the second or third by TKO.

 

[Superzorro]

If Whittaker is as shot as the Du Plessis fight suggests, then Aliskerov has a solid chance to win.

 

[AAA4444]

Aliskerov MW champ by the end of 2024