Khamzat Chimaev may not have been fighting at UFC Saudi Arabia, but he was watching the re-worked main event, which saw Robert Whittaker spark Ikram Aliskerov inside the first round (watch highlights) just hours ago. Chimaev was supposed to be the man standing opposite “The Reaper,” but another disastrous illness at the very last second cost him the opportunity … or saved him the knockout loss?
Chimaev reacted to the outcome on social media.
“Congratulations [Robert Whittaker] we are not done!” He wrote (via Google Translate). “I wish you a speedy recovery [Ikram Aliskerov] keep your head up my brother.”
For some additional context, Chimaev himself fought Aliskerov back in 2019. He also defeated the Combat Sambo champion via first-round uppercut knockout, which is something of an odd coincidence. Had Chimaev made it into the cage this afternoon, he would have been fighting to earn a 185-pound title shot.
As a result of Whittaker’s dominant win, Chimaev’s position is no longer certain. Whittaker is now in talks to be the back up for the UFC 305 title fight between Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya. There’s nothing to gain for “The Reaper” to cling onto the Khamzat fight, because he’s chasing the title. Plus, he just did a camp training for “Borz” only for the rug to be pulled at the last second, an experience he probably doesn’t want to risk twice.
Subsequently, Chimaev has lost ground in the Middleweight title hunt. It remains to be seen who he’s matched against upon his return or what his exact timetable will be, but his position would’ve been a whole lot better with a victory tonight.
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