Ikram Aliskerov has vowed to learn from his errors from Saturday night’s savage knockout defeat against Robert Whittaker that topped the UFC’s maiden event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Aliskerov, who stepped into the bout to replace Khamzat Chimaev who withdrew due to illness, Aliskerov — a four-time Combat Sambo world champion — was manhandled by former 185-pound champ Whittaker, who scored a sensational knockout in the first round.

Whittaker landed early, staggering Aliskerov with a clubbing blow and finishing the fight seconds later after landing a pinpoint uppercut for what was — incredibly — his first finish since 2017.

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

The defeat snaps Aliskerov’s seven-fight winning streak, with the last two of those in the UFC. It was just the second loss of his 17-fight career, the other being another first round loss against Chimaev back in 2019.

And Aliskerov said afterwards that he has no excuses for the manner of the defeat and has pledged to use it as fuel to improve his skills ahead of his next test in the cage.

“Alhamdulilla, no excuses,” he wrote in a message posted to social media. “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.”