Tag: Khamzat Chimaev

Grappling Showdown: Khamzat Chimaev vs. Luke Rockhold at UFC Gym – Video

Grappling Showdown: Khamzat Chimaev vs Luke Rockhold at UFC Gym VideoPreparing for his return to the Octagon later this year in a rescheduled showdown with former champion, Robert Whittaker,…

Grappling Showdown: Khamzat Chimaev vs Luke Rockhold at UFC Gym Video

Preparing for his return to the Octagon later this year in a rescheduled showdown with former champion, Robert Whittaker, unbeaten middleweight star, Khamzat Chimaev employed the help of another former division pacesetter in the form of Luke Rockhold – grappling with the Californian to prepare for UFC 308.

Chimaev, who currently holds the number eleven ranked middleweight rank, has been sidelined from action since last October, landing a close and controversial majority decision win over former welterweight champion and pound-for-pound number one ranked, Kamaru Usman.

Khamzat Chimaev calls for UFC 308 return I would like to fight for the title

And forced from a June return against the above-mentioned, Whittaker in a UFC Saudi Arabia premiere for the organization, Chimaev withdrew from the headliner with the ex-champion, due to a reported “violent” illness.

However, last week, the Chechen-born star was booked once more to take on Whittaker – upon request from the latter apparently, in the form of a UFC 308 co-main event fight in Abu Dhabi, over the course of five rounds.

Khamzat Chimaev reveals violent illness which ruled him from UFC Saudi Arabia I had headaches

Khamzat Chimaev rolls with Luke Rockhold in grappling showdown

And already beginning camp for his final quarter comeback to the Octagon, Khamzat Chimaev looks to have linked up with former undisputed UFC and Strikeforce middleweight kingpin, Rockhold – scrambling and grappling with the Santa Cruz veteran on the mats of a UFC Gym.

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For Rockhold, the former UFC middleweight champion called time on his mixed martial arts career following a decision loss to former title challenger, Paulo Costa back in 2022, ending his career in the midst of a three-fight losing run.

However, last time out, Rockhold laid waste to fellow striking star, Joe Schilling in a Karate Combat headliner back in April in the United Arab Emirates, scoring a third round knockout win over his compatriot. 

Luke Rockhold blasts Sean Strickland after sparring offer he's a fake I will step on this kid

Struggling for activity in the last two years amid injury and illness, Chimaev had scored two impressive wins over both Gilbert Burns and Kevin Holland two years ago before his win over Usman, in what appears to have marked his final walk at the welterweight limit following a weight-miss blunder.

Do you think Khamzat Chimaev can beat Robert Whittaker at UFC 308?

Betting Favorite: Khamzat Chimaev Pulls out of UFC 308

Betting Favorite: Khamzat Chimaev Pulls out of UFC 308Khamzat Chimaev has proven himself so unreliable that sportsbooks are offering bets on whether or not he’ll pull out…

Betting Favorite: Khamzat Chimaev Pulls out of UFC 308

Khamzat Chimaev has proven himself so unreliable that sportsbooks are offering bets on whether or not he’ll pull out of his UFC 308 return.

Recently, the promotion announced a few big matchups for its return to Abu Dhabi this fall, including a featherweight title clash as Ilia Topuria puts his belt on the line for the first time against ex-champion and reigning BMF titleholder Max Holloway.

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Also announced was a rebooked battle between Chimaev and former middleweight king Robert Whittaker. The two were originally scheduled to headline UFC’s big debut in Saudi Arabia this summer, but ‘Borz’ backed out of the bout after becoming “violently ill” with an undisclosed illness.

Whittaker went on to smash his way through Ikram Aliskerov at Kingdom Arena, earning a first-round KO and snapping the Russian’s seven-fight unbeaten streak.

Robert Whittaker

Oddsmakers are not convinced Khamzat Chimaev will show up in Abu Dhabi

Ever since he stormed into the UFC by earning three wins in the span of eight weeks, Chimaev has seen his activity drop significantly, averaging barely one fight per year since 2020. Additionally, the undefeated Chechen has had several fights canceled, including three different matchups with Leon Edwards, a headliner with Nate Diaz, a heavily marketed clash with Paulo Costa, and of course, his meeting with ‘The Reaper’ in Riyadh.

All, but two of those withdraws were initiated by Chimaev.

Khamzat Chimaev

As a result, BetOnline.ag is offering a prop play that allows bettors to wager on whether or not Chimaev’s UFC 308 scrap with Whittaker will actually happen. ‘No’ is currently favored, sitting at -140 odds while ‘Yes’ is listed as an even +100.

Check out odds for some of the big fights going down at Etihad Arena in October below:

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Khamzat Chimaev set to return in rebooked fight with Robert Whittaker at UFC 308

Khamzat Chimaev set to return in rebooked fight with Robert Whittaker at UFC 308Following his cancelled return to action in June, unbeaten middleweight challenger, Khamzat Chimaev is now booked to make his…

Khamzat Chimaev set to return in rebooked fight with Robert Whittaker at UFC 308

Following his cancelled return to action in June, unbeaten middleweight challenger, Khamzat Chimaev is now booked to make his latest comeback to the Octagon, taking on former champion, Robert Whittaker over the course of five rounds at UFC 308 in October.

Chimaev, the current number eleven ranked divisional contender, has been sidelined since he made his return at UFC 294 last October in Abu Dhabi, landing a controversial majority decision win over former undisputed champion, Kamaru Usman in a short-notice pairing.

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As for Whittaker, the former gold holder headlined UFC Saudi Arabia back in June – following a failed matchup with Chimaev, taking out common-foe, Ikram Aliskerov with a stunning opening round knockout win in Riyadh.

Robert Whittaker rebooks Khamzat Chimaev fight for UFC 308

News of Khamzat Chimaev’s comeback against Robert Whittaker in a rescheduled pairing at the Etihad Arena was confirmed by UFC CEO, Dana White on his official X account today.

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“#UFC308 October 26th. from Fight Island, Abu Dhabi,” White posted this evening. 

Making lightwork of Aliskerov back in June in the promotion’s first trip to Saudi Arabia, ex-champion, Whittaker landed a prior decision win over former title challenger, Paulo Costa in the co-main event of UFC 298 back in February of this year in Anaheim, California. 

Before his victory against Usman in his sole appearance of last year, Chechen-born challenger, Chimaev had turned in a quickfire D’Arce choke win over Kevin Holland, after a prior decision win over former welterweight title challenger, Gilbert Burns.

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UFC 308 takes place on October 26. from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE – with an undisputed featherweight title fight between Ilia Topuria, and Max Holloway scheduled to take main event honors. 

Who wins at UFC 308: Robert Whittaker or Khamzat Chimaev?

Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev Rescheduled For UFC 308 Co-Main Event In Abu Dhabi

Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker (26-7) and the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev (13-0) will attempt to share the Octagon at the second time of trying at UFC 308 this year in Abu Dhabi. The pair were previously lined up to headline the promotion’s debut event in Saudi Arabia this past June. On short notice, however, Chimaev […]

Continue Reading Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev Rescheduled For UFC 308 Co-Main Event In Abu Dhabi at MMA News.

Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker (26-7) and the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev (13-0) will attempt to share the Octagon at the second time of trying at UFC 308 this year in Abu Dhabi.

The pair were previously lined up to headline the promotion’s debut event in Saudi Arabia this past June. On short notice, however, Chimaev withdrew from the Kingdom Arena-held card after suffering from an illness.

In his place stepped in Ikram Aliskerov, who was emphatically knocked out in the first round by “The Reaper.” While some suggested the Australian could be in line for another shot at regaining the belt next, he’ll have to keep his focus on “Borz” first.

Their rearranged middleweight matchup was announced by UFC CEO Dana White in a video on social media. It will be a five-round co-main event, with a featherweight title fight between champ Ilia Topuria and BMF titleholder Max Holloway headlining.

With White’s recent announcement, the current fights expected to take place at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi on October 26 are as follows:

  • Ilia Topuria (C) vs. Max Holloway (featherweight championship main event)
  • Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev (middleweight co-main event)
  • Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Raki? (light heavyweight)
  • Lerone Murphy vs. Dan Ige (featherweight)
  • Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov (heavyweight)
  • Rinat Fakhretdinov vs. Nursulton Ruziboev (welterweight)
  • Marcos Rogério de Lima vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu (heavyweight)

Continue Reading Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev Rescheduled For UFC 308 Co-Main Event In Abu Dhabi at MMA News.

UFC star Khamzat Chimaev breaks silence on SMASH coin crypto controversy: ‘My manager acted stupidly’

UFC star Khamzat Chimaev breaks silence on SMASH coin crypto controversy: 'My manager acted stupidly'Khamzat Chimaev’s seemingly innocent endorsement of a meme-themed crypto coin landed him in hot water with fight fans after…

UFC star Khamzat Chimaev breaks silence on SMASH coin crypto controversy: 'My manager acted stupidly'

Khamzat Chimaev’s seemingly innocent endorsement of a meme-themed crypto coin landed him in hot water with fight fans after it appeared he had defrauded them.

In early July, Chimaev shared a video on X promoting SMASH coin, a cryptocurrency named after the undefeated UFC superstar. Considering how many athletes, influencers, and celebrities have taken to promoting crypto in recent years, it was by no means surprising.

Khamzat Chimaev

However, it quickly became clear that something wasn’t right.

Crypto sleuth ZachXBT discovered that 78% of the SMASH coin supply had been purchased by insiders. Within 24 hours, the value had dropped a whopping 96% leaving early adopters with nothing, but a whole lot of frustration.

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Khamzat Chimaev places blame on his management team

As the controversy brewed, Chimaev deleted everything that tied him to the meme-coin, but it wasn’t until a recent interview with Aslanbek Badaev that he actually addressed the accusations head-on, placing the blame on his manager for simply trusting the wrong people.

“Well, my manager… you can say acted stupidly and I also made a mistake in this crypto. I don’t understand [crypto] at all, I trust my manager. You could say I asked people if I could trust them, my people said I can trust them. Make this video, like any other athlete, probably doesn’t know what crypto is and how it works. I don’t know for sure. I don’t even have time to look at what it is.

“I made a video and then made an advertisement as they told me and that they will send me money. Well, these people are also lost now. We are looking for them. One was found. They forced him to make a video [explaining] that it’s their fault. We will find the others too and we’ll make them apologize for it.“

Chimaev’s manager, Majdi Shammas, had already taken responsibility for putting his fighter’s name on the cryptocurrency scam and made it clear that ‘Borz’ was in no way involved in any attempt to commit fraud.

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Khamzat Chimaev was scheduled to headline UFC Saudi Arabia in June, but the 14-0 fighter was forced to bow out after becoming “violently ill” due to an undisclosed illness. ‘Borz’ is already making plans to return at UFC 308 in October when the promotion makes its annual pit stop in Abu Dhabi, though no official announcements have been made.

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Khamzat Chimaev denies claim that he can’t enter the United States: ‘I was told to wait and fight in Arab countries’

Khamzat Chimaev denies claim that he can't enter the United States: 'I was told to wait and fight in Arab countries'Khamzat Chimaev is denying rumors that he is unable to fight in the United States. It’s been nearly two…

Khamzat Chimaev denies claim that he can't enter the United States: 'I was told to wait and fight in Arab countries'

Khamzat Chimaev is denying rumors that he is unable to fight in the United States.

It’s been nearly two years since ‘Borz’ last fought stateside. That came at UFC 279 when he stepped on the scale massively overweight for his welterweight clash with Nate Diaz. Instead, Chimaev ended up fighting Kevin Holland at middleweight in a last-second shuffle to save the event from potential cancelation.

Khamzat Chimaev

In the time since, rumors have surfaced that Chimaev is unable to obtain a visa to fight in the U.S. with the prevailing theory being that his relationship with Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov landed him on the kind of list you really don’t want to be on.

Khamzat Chimaev

However, Chimaev has denied such accusations, noting that the promotion attempted to book him for UFC 300 in April which emanated from Las Vegas.

“They got me the visa when they wanted it,” Chimaev said in an interview with Aslanbek Badaev. “Everyone says I was denied a visa. So far we have not applied for a visa. I was told to wait and fight in Arab countries for now. And I’m waiting and as everyone remembers, recently at UFC 300 I was offered a fight to perform in Las Vegas. The main event of the evening was against Leon Edwards. Then they could get me a visa so I could fight there. When needed, business is working one might say.”

Khamzat Chimaev reveals details regarding the illness that took him out of UFC Saudi arabia

Regardless of the reason, the UFC appears only interested in booking Chimaev on foreign cards, specifically those in the Middle East i.e. Saudi Arabia where he was expected to headline a June event against Robert Whittaker.

Unfortunately, ‘Borz’ bailed out on the bout after becoming “violently ill” with an undisclosed illness. Since then, Chimaev has opened up about the situation.

“My immunity had dropped very much, and we wanted to rest a little bit, for a week,” Chimaev said. “I rested and I did not come to my senses… I ended up in the hospital and, to be honest, I had severe headaches. They said it was stress, there was something there, they explained it to me.

“I was in the hospital for two days, then I was home. A week [I was] like this. Three days later, the same thing happened again, I ended up in the hospital again” (h/t Bloody Elbow).

Chimaev is currently targeting a return in October when the promotion makes its annual pit stop in Abu Dhabi for UFC 308. No opponent has been announced, but the undefeated star believes he’s already done more than enough to earn a shot at gold.

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