Khamzat Chimaev wants to make a comeback at UFC 308. The Chechen was recently wrapped in crypto controversy and severe health concerns that made him pull out of a main event fight against Robert Whittaker. Amidst all this, will the undefeated contender reach out for the title next?
Khamzat Chimaev recently pulled out of a main event showdown against Robert Whittaker at UFC Saudi Arabia due to last-minute health concerns. However, he is ready to make a comeback. ‘Borz’ recently did an interview with Match TV, where he expressed his plans for his potential comeback this year.
Most likely in October in Abu Dhabi. The opponent is not yet known, but I would like to fight for the title.
Khamzat Chimaev on Match TV
Chimaev then proceeded to justify his demand for a title fight. He highlighted that he has seven fights with seven consecutive victories in the UFC. ‘Borz’ argued that there was no fighter in the UFC who had won seven fights without fighting for the belt. After a recent hospitalization, the Chechen has made a steady recovery, even making it back to training.
🚨 Khamzat Chimaev says his return will “most likely” happen at #UFC308 in Abu Dhabi, and says he’d like to fight for the title:
“Most likely [my return will happen] in October in Abu Dhabi. The opponent is not yet known, but I would like to fight for the title.
I have seven… pic.twitter.com/B6eYOcBBhr
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 16, 2024
However, it looks like ‘Borz’ is not on the same page as UFC CEO, Dana White. Chimaev expressed his frustration with White saying that he constantly says different things. However, the team is negotiating and we may soon see ‘Borz’ step into the octagon for his first-ever title fight in the promotion.
Robert Whittaker reveals what would have happened if Khamzat Chimaev did not pull out of UFC Saudi Arabia
Robert Whittaker fought Ikram Aliskerov as a replacement for Khamzat Chimaev at UFC Saudi Arabia and knocked him out in the first round. But what would have happened if it was Chimaev instead of Aliskerov that night? The former champion believes he would have done the same if he had faced ‘Borz’ in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Robert Whittaker talks about not fighting potentially tougher Khamzat Chimaev at UFC Saudi Arabia (via Imago/X)Whittaker recently did an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. Helwani asked what he thought would have happened if the fight with the Chechen actually happened that night. Whittaker confidently replied stating that he would have done the same if he had fought the undefeated middleweight.
I am 99% sure I would have starched Khamzat as well… He dodged a bullet that night.
Robert Whittaker on The MMA Hour
UFC Saudi Arabia was an important win for Whittaker. However, he is yet another contender in a long-standing line of middleweights waiting for a potential title shot. In the meantime, he expects to potentially step in the octagon against ‘Borz’ in the near future.
