Khamzat Chimaev finally makes his long-awaited return to competition in UFC 308’s pay-per-view (PPV) co-main event. He meets dangerous 185-pound standout Robert Whittaker at the tail end of the event. Should he get past him in the probable No. 1 contender floater in Abu Dhabi, it’s big things ahead. If ever a champion, ‘Borz’ would need to defend stateside as well. UFC CEO Dana White stated that there is ‘absolutely, positively’ no hiccup with that.
The Chechen ‘Borz’ has had his troubles to enter stateside. After a restrictive pause on travel conditions due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, he also caught flak for ties with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. However, current conditions might just see his woes lax up. Khamzat Chimaev has also been striking up a good accord with Donald Trump. A good friend to the UFC, the real estate mogul and current GOP Nominee can legitimize his stateside ventures. Dana White though, said that the U.S. ban is bunk.
[Chuckles] Uhh…Yeah, he hasn’t had any real bad visa problems. Uh… Khamzat. We’ve had Khamzat in the States.
Dana White during Power Slap 9 Post-fight interviews
Puts a really new perspective on “Anywhere, anytime” and “smash everyone” if the ban is bunk. Chimaev — despite ‘violent illnesses’ and generic low tank — remains one of the most feared prospects on the roster. However, in the ‘Hustle’ Vlog‘ (@adam.zuba), he did make it look like his fate was hinging big on Trump if he were to ever fight in the U.S.
Dana White is asked if Trump can solve Khamzat’s visa issues if he becomes the next President of the United States:
He hasn’t had any real bad visa problems. Khamzat. We’ve had Khamzat in the States. pic.twitter.com/tkDVYEKtg2
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) October 24, 2024
At this moment, Chimaev’s VISA issue status is more ridiculously elusive than Conor McGregor’s return… And that’s saying something! He would need positive confirmation if he were to ever become a brand value champion stateside. For now though, despite whatever White says, Fight Island is where the action is at. The fighter has a steep climb ahead in just a cycle. However, he has made weight this time.
Khamzat Chimaev makes weight with minutes to spare for UFC 308
Saturday’s UFC 308, at Etihad Arena on Yas Island (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN+) is official. The early weigh-ins took place at the UFC’s host hotel on Yas Island. This was ahead of the official fan weigh-ins at the Etihad Arena at 10 am ET. The same venue will host Saturday’s event. Khamzat Chimaev, notorious for weight misses (tanked his infamous Nate Diaz scrap that way) was fresh off a shopping spree.
However, the lighthearted and more introspective Team Allstars Training Center fighter made weight. Full UFC 308 weigh-in results include:
Main card (Pay-per-view, 2 p.m. ET)
—Ilia Topuria (145) vs. Max Holloway (145)
— Khamzat Chimaev (186) vs. Robert Whittaker (185.5)
— Magomed Ankalaev (204.5) vs. Aleksandar Rakic (206)
— Dan Ige (146) vs. Lerone Murphy (145.5)
— Shara Magomedov (185) vs. Armen Petrosyan (186)
Prelims (ESPN+, 10 a.m. ET)
— Ibo Aslan (205) vs. Raffael Cerqueira (203)
— Rafael dos Anjos (171) vs. Geoff Neal (171)
— Myktybek Orolbai (159) vs. Mateusz Rebecki (160)
— Brunno Ferreira (185.5) vs. Abus Magomedov (185)
— Chris Barnett (264) vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu (241)
— Farid Basharat (137) vs. Victor Hugo (145.5)
— Ismail Naurdiev (185) vs. Bruno Silva (186)
— Rinat Fakhretdinov (171) vs. Carlos Leal (169.5)
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Khamzat Chimaev adds a bit of extra drama to the official UFC 308 weigh-ins, as he is the last fighter to step on the scale with only 13 minutes remaining—but all is good, as he makes weight at 186 lbs.
Whittaker vs Chimaev is official 🔥 pic.twitter.com/AH2kXnoPn0
— AFeldmanMMA (@afeldMMA) October 25, 2024
Early weigh-ins took place with Whittaker being one of the first fighters to hit the scales in the early hours. He tipped the scales at 185.5. As for Khamzat, he was the last fighter to weigh in. However, he made the 186-pound limit for a non-championship middleweight fight. Team Chimaev opted for the second hour but finally made the mark. UFC 308 is locked in and it’s all for themselves.
