Robert's opponent was expected to be Khamzat Chimaev, but he dropped out due to health problems. Now the Australian will share the octagon with Ikram Aliskerov.
"I flew here and I realize that I am the main event of the card, which comes with a certain level of responsibility, this is what I do for a living. I wanted to fight, I wanted the show to go on and I wanted to do my job, so hats off to Ikram for taking the fight and to the UFC for organizing it and I'm looking forward to putting on a show," Bloody Elbow quoted Whittaker as saying.