The following time Khamzat Chimaev steps into the UFC’s octagon, he desires gold on the road.
The undefeated Chimaev (13-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) has not competed since October 2023 at UFC 294 in a majority resolution victory over former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. He’s now eyeing a return to motion a yr later at UFC 308.
“More than likely (my return will occur) in October in Abu Dhabi,” Chimaev informed Match TV in Russian. “(The opponent is) unknown up to now. I wish to combat for the title.
“I’ve seven fights, seven victories. There isn’t a fighter within the UFC who has received seven fights with out combating for the belt.”
Chimaev is mistaken about his statistics, nevertheless. There are at the moment two different undefeated fighters within the UFC who’ve received eight fights and never but earned a title shot: Movsar Evloev and Ian Machado Garry.
A middleweight title combat between present champion Dricus Du Plessis and former champ Israel Adesanya is ready for UFC 305 on August 17 in Perth, Australia.
Chimaev was scheduled to compete in opposition to former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker within the UFC on ABC 6 headliner in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on June 22 however was compelled to withdraw on account of well being points. This downside has occurred on multiple event throughout his UFC profession and has involved promotion CEO Dana White.
“Currently it’s been arduous to get him into the octagon,” White not too long ago mentioned on “The Jim Rome Present.” “Each time he will get near combating, he will get actually sick. I don’t know what to say. It’s not like he’s over right here on this nation and we’ve had medical doctors take a look at him or something like that. He’s type of out of contact, so, it’s powerful to cope with.”
When Chimaev makes it to the cage, he’s been a drive.
He’s undefeated in seven UFC bouts throughout the welterweight and middleweight divisions with 5 stoppages. Many, together with White, have been excessive on his prospect as a possible champion.
Regardless of his current well being setback that price him a chance to choose up a win over a second former champion, Chimaev desires a title shot in his return.
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