"Reaper" Whittaker knocks out Aliskerov in first-round at UFC Night

Robert Whittaker continued his resurgence in the middleweight division with a first-round knockout victory over Ikram Aliskerov at UFC Fight Night in Riyadh on Sunday.

"The Reaper" ended Aliskerov's seven-fight winning streak with a decisive finishing sequence, starting with a crisp one-two and following up with a head kick and a clean uppercut that sealed the deal along the fence.

Whittaker aimed to make a statement in UFC's debut at Kingdom Arena, marking his first stoppage win since defeating Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza seven years ago to secure a championship opportunity.

In the co-main event, Alexander Volkov outperformed compatriot Sergei Pavlovich in a heavyweight clash. Utilising his reach advantage, Volkov controlled the fight with a variety of kicks and quick combinations, nullifying Pavlovich's knockout power effectively.

With three consecutive stoppage victories leading up to this bout, Volkov solidified his position in the heavyweight Top 5 and is poised to ascend further in the rankings, setting the stage for significant matchups later this year.