Robert Whittaker (image via UFC / YouTube)

By Kelsey Mowatt

Robert Whittaker admits he wasn’t expecting the UFC to call him for a fight so soon. But, the former middleweight champ is definitely on board with the promotion’s decision to match him up against Khamzat Chimaev.

Recently, the UFC announced that a fight between Whittaker and Chimaev will headline its June 22nd card in Saudi Arabia. The booking comes approximately six weeks after Whittaker worked his way to a unanimous decision win over Paulo Costa at UFC 298.

More recently, the New Zealand-born, Australian fighter appeared on the MMArcade podcast. While discussing his upcoming tilt with Chimaev, Whittaker admitted he was surprised to get the call (quotes via MMA Fighting.com).

“Obviously it’s a bit of a shock because it comes out of nowhere,” Whittaker said. “I would have assumed UFC was going to hold me in the ranks for the Australia card in August, which is kind of what I was preparing for. But I’m happy UFC have given me this boon. This is my path to the title. This is the way I earn money for my kids. To be able to do that so close — like I’ve said in other episodes, I want to increase my activity. God willing and my body’s healthy, there’s no reason I shouldn’t take this fight. What else am I going to be doing?”

Due to Chimaev’s seven-fight winning streak in the UFC to date, the Chechen fighter is likely a key win away from earning a title shot. So, not surprisingly, Whittaker sees the fight as a pivotal opportunity to ensure he remains in the championship mix.

“It’s going to be a contender fight, five-round main event,” Whittaker said on the MMArcade podcast. “I do understand the task at hand. It’s going to be hard. I’m going to be grinding my ass off this camp. I’m looking forward to it. It’s a good thing, after last fight I didn’t have any injuries. The body is good. They offered me the fight. I fought four or five weeks ago at this point, I’m ready. Just give me another one.

“I’m in a great headspace to take another hard fight. I’m looking forward to it. Every hard fight pushes my skills to the next level, and this gets me in line to get the belt back. That’s the goal, isn’t it?”

Prior to facing Costa, Whittaker (25-7) was stopped by current middleweight champ, Dricus Du Plessis last July. Chimaev (13-0), meanwhile, is coming off a majority decision win over former welterweight champ, Kamaru Usman, in October.

Currently, Chimaev is ranked #11 in the UFC’s middleweight division and Whittaker is #3.