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Joe Rogan warns Khamzat Chimaev of ‘beefy’ ex-UFC champ Robert Whittaker: ‘That’s a real fight’

Khamzat Chimaev is gearing up for his toughest test as he continues climbing toward the top of the middleweight…

Khamzat Chimaev is gearing up for his toughest test as he continues climbing toward the top of the middleweight division.

On Saturday, June 22, ‘Borz’ will return to the Octagon as part of a loaded UFC Saudi Arabia card from Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. Headlining the historic night of fights will be a 185-pound clash between undefeated Chechen monster Khamzat Chimaev and former middleweight titleholder Robert Whittaker, the winner likely nudging themselves into position for a shot at the division’s top prize.

“Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev in Saudi Arabia, that one is gonna be f*cking wild,” longtime UFC color commentator Joe Rogan said on his popular podcast. “That’s a wild one. That is a wild fight. Whittaker vs. Khamzat is legit. That’s a real fight, that’s a real fight for Khamzat because Whittaker is a big dude. Solid, beefy 185 [pounds], former champion. Both guys started at 170 but it was too hard to make it to 170” (h/t MMA Mania).

Joe Rogan says that Robert Whittaker will be a “real fight” for Khamzat Chimaev

“[Whittaker] is a real 185er, as opposed to… they gave him Kamaru Usman. Kamaru didn’t have a chance to prepare for that.

[Kamaru] was winning in the 3rd round. If that was a 5 round fight who… pic.twitter.com/xoN2Vzurhn

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 1, 2024

While ‘The Reaper’ has happily called the middleweight division home for the last decade, Chimaev was essentially forced to make the move from 170 to 185 after a massive mishap on the scale ahead of his scheduled scrap with Nate Diaz at UFC 279.

Khamzat Chimaev’s Only Middleweight Win Since 2020 came against a short-notice Kamaru Usman

Since then, Chimaev has only clocked one win in the weight class, besting former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman who moved up on short notice to face ‘Borz’ at UFC 294 in October. Chimaev won the fight via a majority decision.

“That’s a real 185’er as opposed to [when] they gave [Chimaev] Kamaru Usman, and Kamaru didn’t have a chance to prepare for that [fight],” Rogan continued. “He had 10 days. That’s not enough time. This is a big one. This is Robert Whittaker with plenty of time to prepare. A guy who is just as legit as they get. He just beat Paulo Costa. That’s a good fight. I like that.”

Whittaker is coming off a big win over the returning Paul Costa at UFC 298 in February. Winner of two of his last three, ‘The Reaper’ is 16-5 inside the Octagon and currently sits in the No. 3 spot in the middleweight rankings — eight slots ahead of Khamzat Chimaev.

Joe Rogan warns Khamzat Chimaev of ‘beefy’ ex-UFC champ Robert Whittaker: ‘That’s a real fight’

Khamzat Chimaev is gearing up for his toughest test as he continues climbing toward the top of the middleweight…

Khamzat Chimaev is gearing up for his toughest test as he continues climbing toward the top of the middleweight division.

“Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev in Saudi Arabia, that one is gonna be f*cking wild,” longtime UFC color commentator Joe Rogan said on his popular podcast. “That’s a wild one. That is a wild fight. Whittaker vs. Khamzat is legit. That’s a real fight, that’s a real fight for Khamzat because Whittaker is a big dude. Solid, beefy 185 [pounds], former champion. Both guys started at 170 but it was too hard to make it to 170” (h/t MMA Mania).

Joe Rogan says that Robert Whittaker will be a “real fight” for Khamzat Chimaev

“[Whittaker] is a real 185er, as opposed to… they gave him Kamaru Usman. Kamaru didn’t have a chance to prepare for that.

[Kamaru] was winning in the 3rd round. If that was a 5 round fight who… pic.twitter.com/xoN2Vzurhn

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 1, 2024

Khamzat Chimaev’s Only Middleweight Win Since 2020 came against a short-notice Kamaru Usman

“That’s a real 185’er as opposed to [when] they gave [Chimaev] Kamaru Usman, and Kamaru didn’t have a chance to prepare for that [fight],” Rogan continued. “He had 10 days. That’s not enough time. This is a big one. This is Robert Whittaker with plenty of time to prepare. A guy who is just as legit as they get. He just beat Paulo Costa. That’s a good fight. I like that.”

Robert Whittaker admits ‘Shock’ at booking Khamzat Chimaev fight at UFC Saudi Arabia: ‘It came out of nowhere’

Slated to bring the Octagon to Saudi Arabia for the first time in it’s history, Robert Whittaker has claimed…

Slated to bring the Octagon to Saudi Arabia for the first time in it’s history, Robert Whittaker has claimed his UFC on ABC 6 clash with Khamzat Chimaev atop the ‘Fight Night’ billed card came as somewhat of a “shock” – and admits to being almost surprised at the booking.

Whittaker, the current number three ranked middleweight contender, most recently featured in the co-main event of UFC 298 back in February against former title challenger, Paulo Costa, turning in a hard-fought unanimous decision win.

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

And the former champion – who had campaigned for a title rematch with former-foe, Dricus du Plessis in the aftermath of his victory over the Brazilian, has since booked a fight with Chimaev, despite admitting how a showdown with the Chechen would force him to fight down the rankings – ultimately something he reluctantly is doing.

Robert Whittaker breaks down Khamzat Chimaev fight

Noting his interest in a title-eliminator against shunned ex-champion, Sean Strickland after his win over Costa, fan-favorite veteran, Whittaker admitted that his fight with surging finisher, Chimaev “came out of nowhere” for the UFC Saudi Arabia main event.

“Obviously, it’s a bit of a shock because it comes out of nowhere,” Robert Whittaker said on the MMArcade podcast. “I would have assumed UFC was going to hold me in the ranks for the Australia card in August, which is kind of what I was preparing for. But, I’m happy UFC have given me this boon. This is my path to the title.”

“This is the way I earn money for my kids,” Robert Whittaker explained. “To be able to do that so close – like I’ve said in other episodes, I want to increase my activity. God willing, and my body’s healthy, there’s no reason I shouldn’t take this fight. What else am I going to be doing?”

Robert Whittaker confirms plans to fight at UFC 299 in March after call out from Paulo Costa — Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

In Chimaev’s most recent outing, the AllStars MMA staple turned in a close, debated decision victory against former undisputed welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman – in a short-notice UFC 294 co-headliner back in October.

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

Robert Whittaker reacts to booking 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…

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.

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.

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

Once more into the fray #ufcfightnight #SaudiArabia pic.twitter.com/FRbJ6OYBe2

— Robert Whittaker (@robwhittakermma) March 28, 2024

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

Majdi Shammas, the manager of Khamzat Chimaev, says fight news is coming soon for his client. Chimaev has not…

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’

Former undisputed welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman claims unbeaten middleweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev is “nothing special” in the aftermath of…

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.

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.”

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?