Khamzat Chimaev is that close to returning to fight Robert Whittaker in the UFC 308 pay-per-view (PPV) co-main event on Saturday. This is the second time the Chechen โBorzโ has found a booking against the Aussie. Now that Chimaev is locking in for the weekend, media availability snippets found a more in-shape fighter of the old. Imparting to that is his time with Arman Tsarukyan.
Before Saturdayโs UFC 308 (pay-per-view, ESPN+) co-main event at Etihad Arena, Chimaev was in for the UFC Saudi Arabia main event. However, he fell โviolently illโ before having to withdraw against Whittaker in June. In the meantime, Chimaev filmed a season of โHype Realityโ with No. 1-ranked lightweight contender Tsarukyan. Now, fight week snaps see both of them together again.
This season of the โHype Reality 3โ is basically a Russian iteration of โThe Ultimate Fighterโ. In a dynamic that could have seen Conor McGregorโMichael Chandler as co-coaches had they not fallen apart on fight dreams, the duo now train together often. In light of the โviolent illnessโ, Arman Tsarukyan even told Denis Shkuratov for the โSubmission Radioโ Show for SBNation Network (@SubmissionRadio) that Chimaev is in shape and will take care of the โReaperโ.
A year in the makingโฆ #UFC308@KChimaev is BACK!@VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/DO4HSQe31n
โ UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) October 22, 2024
โAhalkalaketsโ is currently serving a one-year NYSAC-imposed suspension and is the top seed to face champion Islam Makhachev. While the 155-pound champ is on the bench for a minimal hand injury of his own, Tsarukyan is even employing the Chechen to up his game. โBorzโ will need all the help he can get as well. Come this Saturday, all the brakes are off.
Khamzat Chimaev breaks down โimmunityโ issues that tanked Robert Whittaker fight
Undefeated Chimaev hasnโt fought since he edged out former Pound-for-pound Kamaru Usman. This was for a 185 drop at UFC 294 last October. His fight with Robert Whittaker is seeing the dub as a No. 1 contender bout. As such thereโs a whole lot of anticipation for the return event.
However, Chimaev (13-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) has been quite an unreliable billing these days. So much so that open betting lines for UFC 308 pay-per-view (PPV) card had him at a -140 favorite to pull out. Per BetOnline.ag, lines opened with Khamzat Chimaev at -225, and Whittaker at +190. Chimaev recently opened up about what happened that made the fight go up in smoke again.
Whittaker faced Ikram Aliskerov instead, at UFC on ABC 6 in Riyadh. The first-frame knockout has only increased his stock and even touted his opportunities further on the line. Current 185-champ Dricus Du Plessis is even favoring his chances at a title redemption. Hence he is that much closer to a promised title as much as Chimaev. The Team Allstars Training Centerโsย โBorzโ says he has incorporated some camp changes in preparation. As such heโll be ready for it.