Ikram Aliskerov issues statement after brutal knockout loss to Robert Whittaker at UFC Saudi Arabia

Ikram Aliskerov | Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Ikram Aliskerov has no regrets.

This past Saturday, Aliskerov stepped in on short notice to face Robert Whittaker in the main event of the UFC’s debut event in Saudi Arabia. Originally set to face Antonio Trocoli a week earlier at UFC Vegas 93, it was a big risk for Aliskerov, and it didn’t go well. Whittaker demolished the Dagestani fighter, finishing Aliskerov in under two minutes with a brutal knockout.

But despite how things turned out, Aliskerov says he has no regrets about stepping up.

Alhamdulilla, no excuses. I don’t regret anything. It was a big experience against one of the best in the sport. I'm young, I'll work on my mistakes , learn and get back into business soon.Thank to everyone for support messages.

— ikram_aliskerov (@ikram_aliskerov) June 23, 2024

“Alhamdulilla, no excuses. I don’t regret anything. It was a big experience against one of the best in the sport. I’m young, I’ll work on my mistakes , learn and get back into business soon. Thank to everyone for support messages.”

The 31-year-old Aliskerov is a former combat sambo world champion and viewed by many as one of the best prospects in the middleweight division. Aliskerov made his UFC debut in 2023, scoring impressive knockout victories over Phil Hawes and Warlley Alves. The loss to Whittaker is his first in the octagon and only the second of his career, following a knockout loss to Khamzat Chimaev in Brave FC back in 2019.