The debut event of UFC Saudi Arabia this weekend (Sat., June 22, 2024) almost came to a halt. Khamzat Chimaev was to meet Robert Whittaker in Saturday’s UFC on ABC 6 card in Saudi Arabia. The main event was to have clear top-contender implications for middleweight gold. However, the Chechen ‘Borz’ had to pull out due to a sudden “violent illness.”
As he completed his UFC on ESPN 58 weight cut, Ikram Aliskerov suddenly found himself subbing in. Now, he faces ‘The Reaper’ at the UFC on ABC 6 main event at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. With no clarity on his condition or state of return, Alexander Gustafsson discussed the Chechen fighter’s situation:
The guy gets ill, …There is something with his body that reacts to hard training because he is the hardest worker in the room…They have to run some tests and see what the background is, whether there is something in his body that’s reacting to the hard training because he trains very hard.
Alexander Gustafsson via a Papa Kuranchie Exclusive Interview, for cryptosportsbetting.ltd/blog
The top brass has been unable to shed light on the inexplicable illness due to Chimaev staying out of reach. His All Stars Gym management in Sweden nudges him to be in and out of hospitals throughout camp. Coach Mukhammad Eskirkhanov also has been tight-lipped on the matter. Except for denying that this was due to mere food poisoning. However, ‘The Mauler’ pitches in.
Alexander Gustafsson gives some insight on Khamzat Chimaev’s health struggles:
“There is something with his body that reacts to hard training because he is the hardest worker in the room… They have to run some tests and see what the background is, whether there is something in… pic.twitter.com/sbEbOSvARS
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 22, 2024
The Chechen phenom had a bad case of COVID-19 in 2021. Khamzat Chimaev has struggled to stay the same since that clinical knockdown. Sparring partner Gustafsson hints that while he remains the hardest worker in the room, the Chechen’s immuno-sustainability remains different. He also sympathized with Chimaev’s side of the story.
Alexander Gustafsson: Boogeyman Khamzat Chimaev will return stronger
Chimaev (13-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) has had top-bill prominence but never quite seems able to deliver. Not for the lack of trying, though. When Robert Whittaker and Aliskerov lock horns in UFC on ABC 6’s (ABC/ESPN+) main event, this would mark yet another canceled bout for the fighter.
Alexander Gustafsson weighs in on the UFC on ABC 6 pullout (Source: (@alexthemauler) on Instagram)Once the welterweight division’s boogeyman nobody wanted to face, he is now struck down to who nobody gets to face. CEO Dana White lauds the Chechen wrecking ball but is weary that he gets sick whenever he gets close to a fight. Other than that, his body also does not perform to full viability. It’s like when he overexerted himself in the opening instances at UFC 294.
Nobody outside his immediate circle knows much at all. Bo Nickal credited the “violent illness” to partying too much. Campmate Tam Khan denies such rumors. Robert Whittaker takes the high road by not speculating. Meanwhile, Gustafsson weighs in on what it’s like for the fighter himself.
I can’t even imagine how frustrated he is, I know he doesn’t feel good at all…He’s ill, he’s very ill. Not only that, it’s the mental part. You have a big fight ahead of you…then this sh*t happens. He’s going through some hard times right now but I know the guy — he’s going to come back stronger.
Alexander Gustafsson further said (H/T: MMAMania.com)
Without a clear diagnosis, it’s hard to see the brass anchoring him to top-tier cards. All the Chechen fighter needs is two good wins against top-ranked middleweights. Nevertheless, things have not worked out well health-wise. Until things change, here’s hoping things fare better for Khamzat Chimaev.
