MIXED martial arts’ premier stage gets the Saudi Arabia treatment this weekend when the UFC Octagon touches down in Riyadh for the first time.

After the Saudi Public Investment Fund splashed the cash and changed the face of boxing, golf and even snooker, MMA’s big hitters arrive in town with a typically enticing fight card.

Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker features in the main event, albeit taking on replacement opponent Ikram Aliskerov, on a fight card that is packed with top contenders.

Khamzat Chimaev, the unbeaten now UAE-based Chechnyan, was originally involved in the main event against Whittaker, but was hospitalised – not for the first time – in the final stages of fight camp.

Whilst his exciting career hangs in the balance, #3 ranked Whittaker takes a huge gamble against unranked Dagestani Aliskerov, who may not be too familiar with fight fans but has a prolific record.

A former Sambo world champion, the 31-year-old Russia boasts a 15-1 career in MMA, with 11 wins coming by stoppage.

He’s familiar with Emirati fans too, after building most of his career in the Bahrain-based Brave promotion, and has fought and won in Saudi previously.

The sole loss on his record was against Chimaev, back in 2019, but he’s bagged seven-straight since, including three first-round finishes on the Dana White Contender Series and in his first two UFC outings.

His flying knee TKO of Brazilian Warlley Alves in October was a thing of beauty. Set up by straight accurate boxing, he took flight to land his strike clean under the chin before unleashing a 10-hook combo that forced the ref to intervene.

Of course, it’s one thing smoking unranked opponents, something else entirely jumping up to five rounds to take on a former champion.

Especially, one as accomplished and dangerous as Whittaker.

The Aussie fan favourite (25-7) reigned as king at 185lb for two years from the summer of 2017, but ultimately lost the belt to continental rival Israel Adesanya.

Since, ‘Bobby Knuckles’ has gone 5-2 with five dominant points wins over highly ranked foes against a second defeat to Izzy and a TKO loss last summer to new champion Dricus du Plessis.

On his day, Whittaker is perhaps technically the most fully rounded fighter in the division. But his day may well have past already, especially in a sport that moves as quickly as MMA, which presents Aliskerov with the opportunity of his fighting life.

A win over a former champion as popular as Whittaker would not only get him ranked, but it would throw him into the title conversation and maybe even set up a final eliminator next with #1 ranked Sean Strickland.

Just like his gameplan against Khamzat, the key for Whittaker is not to get in too deep, too early. Aliskerov is a huge hitter and a dynamic striker, but he’s never been past three rounds.

If Whittaker can survive the first 10 minutes, he has the experience and skillset to turn the Russian sprinter’s first foray into the upper echelons of the sport into a marathon nightmare.

TIP: Whittaker on Points (13/5)