Khamzat Chimaev and Robert Whittaker are set to clash this Saturday at UFC 308 in a highly anticipated middleweight bout. Originally scheduled for June, the fight was postponed after Chimaev fell ‘violently ill.’ Surprisingly, to this day, ‘Borz’ remains unsure about the cause of his illness.
Chimaev’s illnesses caused him to be hospitalized, where his condition got worse. It was very serious as fans were curious about his ability to continue fighting in the future. In response, the UFC had to find a last-minute replacement for Whittaker to save the card. Recently, the Chechen star talked about his illness and shared everything that went behind the doors.
We was in training camp, the first month was very good. The last three weeks, my immunity goes down. I don’t know what happened. All the guys ate the same food, only me got sick… The doctor said to me, ‘You need to just be off from the gym and not training, not doing nothing.’ I went home to the mountains.
Khamzat Chimaev via UFC 308 Countdown show
This wasn’t the first time Chimaev had suffered a serious health hazard. In 2021, the Chechen fighter got COVID-19, which affected his breathing. Chimaev was coughing blood and almost thought of retiring from the MMA. However, the Chechen warrior fought through the illness and continued his UFC journey.
Currently, Khamzat Chimaev is in peak condition and more eager than ever to claim UFC gold. Top lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan recently vouched for Chimaev’s form, confidently predicting an easy victory over Robert Whittaker. However, the Australian superstar is equally prepared and determined to give Chimaev the toughest career fight.
Khamzat Chimaev receives warning from rival ahead of UFC 308
After Khamzat Chimaev withdrew due to illness, Robert Whittaker stepped in to face Ikram Aliskerov, securing an easy knockout victory. The win has boosted Whittaker’s confidence ahead of UFC 308, where he feels ready to take on a relentless force like Chimaev. Whittaker is not only confident in his striking but also in his cardio, believing he’s fully prepared for the challenge Chimaev presents.
Chimaev is one of the best wrestlers on the UFC roster, with a good knack for striking. In his last fights against Gilbert Burns and Kevin Holland, the fighter has proved his dominance. However, Whitaker has gone through two fight camps and is ready for everything Chimaev will show.
He’s very dangerous if you let him be. He’s very wrestling-centric and he’s very good at that. He’s good at pushing his way and bullying his opponents but I have been in there with the best of them. I have left no stone unturned and I’m ready.
Robert Whittaker via Kevin Iole’s YouTube channel
Since his early days in the UFC, Khamzat Chimaev has been viewed as a favorite in capturing the championship. However, recurring health issues have disrupted his momentum. A win over Robert Whittaker could put Chimaev directly in line for a title shot, something the Aussie fighter is also eager to secure. As the weekend approaches, fans are excited about this highly anticipated clash.
