Robert Whittaker reacts to booking Khamzat Chimaev fight at UFC Saudi Arabia: ‘Once more into the fray’

Robert Whittaker reacts to Khamzat Chimaev fight at UFC Saudi Arabia once more into the frayOff the back of his booking against undefeated middleweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of a UFC…

Robert Whittaker reacts to Khamzat Chimaev fight at UFC Saudi Arabia once more into the fray

Off the back of his booking against undefeated middleweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of a UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia card on June 22. – former middleweight titleholder, Robert Whittaker has vowed to return to “the fray” again.

Whittaker, the current number three ranked middleweight contender, looks to earn another shot at his former championship title in his return against the unbeaten, Chimaev – fresh from a hard-fought unanimous decision win over Paulo Costa back in February in the co-main event of UFC 298.

Robert Whittaker closing as betting favorite to beat Paulo Costa at UFC 298

As for Chimaev, the Chechen-born contender will take headlining honors for the first time in his short Octagon tenure, returning from injuries after he improved to 13-0 in a unanimous decision effort against former undisputed welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman back in October at UFC 294.

Robert Whittaker reacts to Khamzat Chimaev booking

And following confirmation from UFC CEO, Dana White that Robert Whittaker would be facing Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of the UFC on ABC 6 card in the Middle East this summer, the ex-champion posted his initial reaction.

Robert Whittaker targets UFC 300 fight with Paulo Costa axed he's playing games again
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

“Once more into the fray,” Robert Whittaker posted on his official X account. “#UFCFightNight #SaudiArabia”

Along with Whittaker’s high-profile fight against Chimaev, the promotion have also booked a co-headliner between former title challenger, Sergei Pavlovich who returns to take on Russian compatriot, Alexander Volkov in a high-stakes pairing.

Khamzat Chimaev betting favorite to hold title at end of 2024 after UFC 297
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Another past title challenger at middleweight returns to boot at Kelvin Gastelum meets Daniel Rodriguez on the event’s main card, while Johnny Walker takes on Volkan Oezdemir, and the impressive Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov meets Ihor Potieria.

Hoping to earn another chance at middleweight spoils, Whittaker struck Octagon gold back in 2017 in a decision win over veteran Cuban, Yoel Romero, before defeating the fan-favorite with another split judging victory in an immediate rematch, non-title affair.

Who wins at UFC Saudi Arabia in June: Robert Whittaker or Khamzat Chimaev?

Manager confirms unbeaten UFC star Khamzat Chimaev is set for fight return ‘Soon’ amid injury layoff

Manager confirms Khamzat Chimaev set for UFC return soon amid injury setbackMajdi Shammas, the manager of Khamzat Chimaev, says fight news is coming soon for his client. Chimaev has not…

Manager confirms Khamzat Chimaev set for UFC return soon amid injury setback

Majdi Shammas, the manager of Khamzat Chimaev, says fight news is coming soon for his client.

Chimaev has not fought since October when he beat former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman by a majority decision at middleweight. Since then, many fans have been wondering when Chimaev will be back in the Octagon, and according to Shammas, the undefeated fighter will have fight news very soon.

“Soon news,” Shammas wrote on Instagram about Chimaev’s next fight.

Khamzat Chimaev set to avoid surgery after UFC 294 suffers ligament tear
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

Currently, it’s uncertain who Chimaev will fight in his return, but the logical date is the Saudi Arabia card in June. Chimaev recently came out and revealed his interest in returning in the summer in Saudi Arabia.

Khamzat Chimaev labelled a crybaby after attacking UFC boss Dana White over title fight
Manadatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

“In the summer, I think – in the summer, we’ll be back,” Khamzat Chimaev said in an interview with FCR MMA. “I want to fight in Saudi Arabia, but I don’t think anybody wants to fight me there. We’ll see what’s going to happen, so (I’m) just waiting for something.”

Chimaev also confirmed that he was offered to fight at UFC 300 against Leon Edwards, but he had to turn it down as he couldn’t make 170lbs.

“They wanted me to fight at (UFC) 300, but I said it’s too short time for (170 pounds),” Chimaev continued. “I need a bit of time. (The Edwards fight) wasn’t 100 percent sure, but my manager said maybe, maybe not. My brother said to me, ‘Not in Ramadan.’ After Ramadan, we’ll take some time, camp and then we’ll fight anyone.”

Khamzat Chimaev a perfect 7-0 in the UFC

Khamzat Chimaev is a perfect 13-0 in his career and is 7-0 in the UFC.

Khamzat Chimaev issues warning ahead of UFC 297 I didn't know I was scaring them so much
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Chimaev is coming off a majority decision win over Kamaru Usman back in October and before that, he submitted Kevin Holland in the first round. Chimaev also holds notable wins over Gilbert Burns by decision and Li Jingliang by submission.

‘Borz’ is currently ranked 11th at middleweight and could be a win or two away from getting a title shot at 185lbs.

UFC star Kamaru Usman breaks down ‘Nothing special’ Khamzat Chimaev: ‘You build him up’

Kamaru Usman plays down 'Nothing special' Khamzat Chimaev you all build him up UFCFormer undisputed welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman claims unbeaten middleweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev is “nothing special” in the aftermath of…

Kamaru Usman plays down 'Nothing special' Khamzat Chimaev you all build him up UFC

Former undisputed welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman claims unbeaten middleweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev is “nothing special” in the aftermath of their UFC 294 clash back in October – insisting he would have beaten the Chechen if he tried a little more.

Usman, a former undisputed welterweight champion and prior pound-for-pound number one fighter under the promotion’s banner – has been sidelined from the Octagon since he co-headlined against the above-mentioned, Chimaev in October of last year, suffering his third consecutive loss. 

With his controversial majority decision win, Chimaev improved to 13-0 as a professional, and sees him currently hold the number 11 rank in the official middleweight pile.

Khamzat Chimaev labelled a crybaby after attacking UFC boss Dana White over title fight
Manadatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

And while staking his claim for an elusive first title fight under the promotion’s banner, Chimaev has seen a championship tilt at the limit against newly-minted gold holder, Dricus du Plessis likely denied by promotional brass – with an offer floated to Israel Adesanya to compete for spoils next

Kamaru Usman plays down Khamzat Chimaev’s ceiling

Backed by a slew of pundits and fans to eventually land Octagon gold, however, Chimaev’s skills and abilities have been called into question by Usman – who accused those who are “building” him up, are putting their backing behind a contender who is far from special.

“You get in those type of fights and those positions, where you build something up in your mind and in your head,” Kamaru Usman said on the Pound 4 Pound podcast. “And everyone’s now – especially in this machine of the UFC, and MMA, you build him (Khamzat Chimaev) up in your head. Then you get in [the Octagon], and – that wasn’t special.”

“That was nothing different than what I had seen [before],” Kamaru Usman explained. “Had I given it a little bit more, had I have given myself a little bit more credit, that would have turned out totally different.”

Kamaru Usman

Claiming if he so wanted to he could very easily reclaim his welterweight title in the future, Auchi native, Usman also admitted he laments a failed middleweight title siege during the run of Sean Strickland – whom he already holds a decision win over. 

Who do you want to see UFC star, Kamaru Usman fight next?

UFC ace Israel Adesanya backed to struggle with Khamzat Chimaev in future fight: ‘He’s not gonna win’

Israel Adesanya backed to struggle in Khamzat Chimaev fight in future he's not gonna win UFCFormer two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has been backed to struggle significantly with undefeated talent, Khamzat Chimaev in…

Israel Adesanya backed to struggle in Khamzat Chimaev fight in future he's not gonna win UFC

Former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has been backed to struggle significantly with undefeated talent, Khamzat Chimaev in a future showdown – according to prior foe, Marvin Vettori, who claims the UFC star will likely lose to any top five contender in his Octagon return.

Adesanya, a former two-time middleweight champion under the promotion’s banner, has yet to return to competition since he headlined UFC 293 last September, setting an unwanted record in a unanimous decision loss to Sean Strickland, subsequently becoming the first fighter in promotional history to lose their championship belt twice in a calendar year.

Israel Adesanya eyes title rematch with Sean Strickland mocks title loss again what a reign

However, linked with another immediate charge at gold despite his loss to now-former titleholder, Strickland, City Kickboxing striker, Adesanya was offered a headliner at UFC 300 next month against new champion, Dricus du Plessis – a bout the South African ultimately admitted he turned down due to lingering injuries

Israel Adesanya’s ability called into question amid layoff

Sharing his thoughts on Adesanya’s expected comeback later this year, Vettori, a two-time foe of the former – who himself headlines UFC Vegas 90 against Brendan Allen, claimed the ex-champion would be beaten by Chimaev – as well as any other contender at 185 pounds worth their salt.

“Izzy (Israel Adesanya) will lose any fight,” Marvin Vettori told The Schmo during a recent interview. “If he comes back, he’s not going to win any fight, I will tell you this. In the top three or four, he’s not gonna win any fights. I don’t think he’s going to beat Khamzat (Chimaev), either. I don’t think so. He’s gonna get taken down, I think.”

“He comes back, he’s gonna lose, I think,” Vettori explained. “They’re gonna tell me I’m a hater and sh*t, but it’s true – the game is evolving so fast. The grappling level is just evolving, getting higher and higher and I think he can’t hang. Taking a year off now, it’s a lot.” 

Khamzat Chimaev labelled a crybaby after attacking UFC boss Dana White over title fight
Manadatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Himself sidelined since last October, unbeaten challenger, Chimaev has been out of action since he landed a close, majority decision win over former undisputed welterweight kingpin, Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 in a short-notice clash.

Who wins in a future clash: Israel Adesanya or Khamzat Chimaev?

Robert Whittaker knocks back potential fight with UFC star Khamzat Chimaev: ‘That doesn’t move me’

Robert Whittaker knocks back UFC fight with Khamzat Chimaev next that doesn't move meTargeting a return to the Octagon later this year following his impressive decision win over former title challenger, Paulo…

Robert Whittaker knocks back UFC fight with Khamzat Chimaev next that doesn't move me

Targeting a return to the Octagon later this year following his impressive decision win over former title challenger, Paulo Costa at UFC 298 last month, former middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker has stressed his desire to fight Sean Strickland – rather than the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev next.

Whittaker, who moved to number three in the official middleweight pile off the back of his decision win over Belo Horizonte native, Costa in their UFC 298 main card clash, returned to the winner’s enclosure following a knockout loss to newly-crowned divisional gold holder, Dricus du Plessis back in July of last year. 

And staking his claim for a title-eliminator in his comeback, Whittaker has welcomed the chance to fight the aforenoted, Strickland – potentially as soon as August in a return to Perth, Australia. 

“I’m angling towards the gold,” Robert Whittaker said during an appearance on the MMArcade Podcast. “I wanna reclaim my belt, you know. And I would love to run it back with Dricus (du Plessis) – especially ‘cause he’s got the gold as well, so it’s two-in-one, right?”

“But I do understand that (Sean) Strickland is in – is in line, like in the sights a little bit,” Robert Whittaker explained. “Everyone’s talking about him a lot, he’s at the top. And that kinda gives me the path to the gol that I’m longing for. So, I’m not really fussed on the opponent at the moment.”

Robert Whittaker unsure on Khamzat Chimaev fight next

Weighing up the possibility of landing a fight with the unbeaten middleweight contender, Chimaev – Whittaker claimed that fighting down the rankings does very little – if nothing for him in his return this summer.

“[The Khamzat Chimaev fight] is tricky because that doesn’t move me,” Robert Whittaker said. “It does in clout, but it doesn’t move me higher up in the rankings. Beating (Sean) Strickland puts me at number one again, and that’s as close as you can get really.”

Do you want to see Robert Whittaker take on Khamzat Chimaev next?

Paulo Costa blasts UFC star Khamzat Chimaev, accuses him of ducking clash again: ‘He wants to fight easy fights’

Paulo Costa blasts Khamzat Chimaev again accuses him of ducking UFC fight with himFormer undisputed middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa has once more taken aim at arch-rival, Khamzat Chimaev, claiming the unbeaten…

Paulo Costa blasts Khamzat Chimaev again accuses him of ducking UFC fight with him

Former undisputed middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa has once more taken aim at arch-rival, Khamzat Chimaev, claiming the unbeaten Chechen wants to fight easier opponents than him, and accusing him of running from a long-anticipated showdown. 

Costa, who slumped to number six in the official middleweight rankings earlier this month, snapped an almost two-year hiatus from the sport with a co-main event slot against former champion, Robert Whittaker at UFC 298.

And suffering his third professional loss, Belo Horizonte native, Costa was returned to the losing column in a decision defeat, following a prior decision win of his own over former UFC and Strikeforce middleweight kingpin, Luke Rockhold. 

As for Chimaev, the unbeaten middleweight contender improved to 13-0 last October at UFC 294, turning in a close, debated majority decision win over former welterweight champion and prior pound-for-pound number one, Kamaru Usman.

Paulo Costa takes aim at Khamzat Chimaev again

Reflecting on his failed pairing with the Chechen at UFC 294 last year, Costa again accused Chimaev of avoiding a fight with him, questioning the calibre of opponent the latter is willing to share the Octagon with.

“He (Khamzat Chimaev) needs to stop running,” Paulo Costa told Submission Radio during a recent interview. “He needs to have balls to face me. Yes, for a long time, long time, this guy avoided this fight. He has no balls. If the guys don’t push him, he has no balls to fight me.”

“He wants to fight easy fights, he wants to fight guys, you know, he don’t want to fight guys like me, (Robert) Whittaker, or somebody else like that,” Paulo Costa explained. “He wants to fight guys with no wrestling, no Jiu-Jitsu game, no grappling. You know, something like that.” 

Do you think Paulo Costa will ever fight Khamzat Chimaev in the future?