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Dana White explains Khamzat Chimaev’s continued UFC absence: ‘He’s got stuff going on in his personal life’

UFC president, Dana White has confirmed that streaking welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev is currently dealing with “stuff in his personal life” amid his continued absence from the Octagon. Chimaev, the current #3 ranked welterweight contender, has been sidelined from active competition since September of last year, co-headlining UFC 279 in a one-sided first round submission […]

UFC president, Dana White has confirmed that streaking welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev is currently dealing with “stuff in his personal life” amid his continued absence from the Octagon.

Chimaev, the current #3 ranked welterweight contender, has been sidelined from active competition since September of last year, co-headlining UFC 279 in a one-sided first round submission win over Kevin Holland, securing a D’Arce choke victory.

The victory came as Chimaev’s second of the year, having previously landed a competitive unanimous decision win over incoming UFC 288 co-headliner, Gilbert Burns in Jacksonville, Florida.

Khamzat Chimaev is expected to fight Paulo Costa at UFC 294 in October

Expected to make his Octagon return later this year at UFC 294 in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Chimaev’s continued absence has been questioned across the community, amid links to a fight against one-time title challenger, Paulo Costa at the middleweight limit.

And according to the above-mentioned, White, personal issues with Chimaev have limited his options for an earlier return until the final quarter of this annum.

“That’s on him [Khamzat Chimaev[, though – he’s got stuff going on in his personal life,” Dana White said of Khamzat Chimaev’s continued absence during an interview with TSN reporter, Aaron Bronsteter. “That’s not because, you know, we’re not getting him a fight.”

“Obviously, you know how it goes here,” Dana White explained. “We talk about this all time, we have to get guys three fights a year. So, if we don’t get guys three fights a year, we have to pay ‘em. The only way that would happen, is it they have personal stuff going on.”

Dana White with an update on Khamzat Chimaev.

20 minutes with Dana White: https://t.co/6lu9JeHIwO pic.twitter.com/Gvc2pNcn19

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) May 6, 2023

Recently, former undisputed welterweight gold holder and former pound-for-pound number one, Kamaru Usman claimed he would be open to fighting Chimaev in his Octagon return later this year, with White confirming the Auchi native would need to move to the middleweight limit to make the fight possible, shooting down a catchweight affair.

Khamzat Chimaev betting favorite to hand Paulo Costa defeat in expected UFC 294 fight in October

In the midst of a stunning 12-fight undefeated professional run, unbeaten welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev has been backed to remain perfect in his expected fight with one-time middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa ahead of their earmarked UFC 294 clash in October on ‘Fight Island’. Yet to book an Octagon return since co-headlining UFC 279 back […]

Yet to book an Octagon return since co-headlining UFC 279 back in September of last year, Chechen-born contender, Khamzat Chimaev has been widely tipped to fight Belo Horizonte native, Costa at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, UAE in the third week of October, in a potential title-eliminator at the middleweight limit.

Landing at the same venue back in 2020, Chimaev has enjoyed a dizzying roughshod run through contenders at the welterweight limit, propelling himself to the #3 rank in the division to boot.

Going hammer and tongs with the promotion since returning to the winner’s enclosure at UFC 278 back in August of last year, Costa is expected to put pen to paper on a new, multi-fight deal with the Dana White-led promotion in the comings weeks – in a deal which has been touted as making him the best-paid Brazilian under contract in the UFC.

Khamzat Chimaev Octagon Return

However, in terms of an Octagon return against Khamzat Chimaev before the close of the year at the Etihad Arena, Costa has opened as a sizeable betting underdog (+290) to defeat Chimaev (-340) in their earmarked middleweight matchup. Full list online casinos using GCash offer endless markets on sports including combat, ahead of what promises to be a blockbuster year in the professional realm.

Sidelined since UFC 279 last September, Khamzat Chimaev most recently extended his promotional-perfect run to six fights, submitting Kevin Holland with a first round D’Arce choke submission at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Retaining his top-3 rank at the welterweight limit despite a difficult cut to the division in the past, the AllStars MMA staple had turned in a unanimous decision victory over recent winner and incoming UFC 288 co-headliner, Gilbert Burns back in April of last year.

As for Costa, the one-time title challenger managed to snap a two-fight skid against both Israel Adesanya and Marvin Vettori back in August of last year against the above-mentioned former champion, Rockhold – securing a unanimous judging victory.

Costa was expected to fight former champion, Robert Whittaker at UFC 284 back in February of this year in Perth, Australia – the Brazilian denied ever putting pen to paper on a deal to fight the former gold holder, leading to a public spat with the organization.

Without a main event slot for UFC 294 at the time of publication, undisputed lightweight kingpin, Islam Makhachev has been earmarked to return to the Octagon potentially in October – after earning a period of rest from the UFC, according to reports, could potentially take main event honors.

The Dagestan native recently headlined UFC 284 back in February, defending his lightweight title against Alexander Volkanovski, and has been linked to a title rematch against former gold holder, Charles Oliveira next, as well as a fresh pairing with Iranian contener, Beneil Dariush before the end of this year.

Paulo Costa confirms Khamzat Chimaev fight is in the works for UFC 294: ‘I think it’s going to happen’

One-time middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa has confirmed a fight between himself and undefeated welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev, is currently targeted for UFC 294 on October 21. in Abu Dhabi, UAE – claiming he’s confident the long-awaited pairing finally takes place. Costa, the current #5 ranked middleweight contender, has been sidelined since August of last […]

Costa, the current #5 ranked middleweight contender, has been sidelined since August of last year, featuring most recently on the main card of UFC 278, defeating former undisputed titleholder, Luke Rockhold in a close, unanimous decision victory.

As for Chimaev, the AllStars MMA staple managed to improve to 12-0 as a professional back in September at UFC 279, defeating recent winner, Kevin Holland in a dominant, opening round D’Arce choke submission success.

Linked with a potential return as soon as May to draft into a co-main event slot – which is now occupied by Gilbert Burns, and Belal Muhammad – the UFC had reportedly offered Costa a light heavyweight fight former undisputed titleholder, Jan Blachowicz.

Paulo Costa confident October fight with Khamzat Chimaev takes place

With the heralded fight between the duo failing to come to fruition, Costa claimed the UFC were attempting to book him in a fight against the undefeated, Chimaev for a UFC 294 pay-per-view event in October on ‘Fight Island’ at the Etihad Arena.

“I think October is so long – so far,” Paulo Costa said of a fight with Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 during an appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani. “That’s why I was so happy when the UFC wanted me to fight Jan (Blachowicz) at 205 [pounds]. Because it’s much less work to cut weight, you know? And this doesn’t effect my weight division at 185 [pounds]. So, I was sad when Jan declined.”

“I think this fight (with Khamzat Chimaev) is gonna happen,” Paulo Costa explained. “I’m bothering the UFC to schedule a fight before [October] – like in June. I think they [the UFC] have some agreement with Abu Dhabi or Dubai government, so they need to push a big fight for there.”

Paulo Costa reveals he has three offers to make UFC return amid links to October fight with Khamzat Chimaev

UFC middleweight contender and one-time title challenger, Paulo Costa has revealed he has been approached with three offers to make his Octagon comeback after agreeing terms on a new contract, following links with an October fight against the undefeated, Khamzat Chimaev. Costa, the current #5 ranked middleweight contender, has been sidelined from active competition since […]

Costa, the current #5 ranked middleweight contender, has been sidelined from active competition since August of last year, featuring in a main card outing against former undisputed division champion, Luke Rockhold.

Snapping a two-fight losing skid against former champion, Israel Adesanya and fellow former title challenger, Marvin Vettori, Belo Horizonte native, Paulo Costa defeated Rockhold with a unanimous decision effort – sending the Californian into retirement subsequently.

Confirming recently how he had agreed terms on a reportedly lucrative four-fight deal with the Dana White-led organization, Costa’s manager, Tamara Alves claimed that the Brazilian would earn in excess of $1,000,000 per fight.

And the outspoken fan-favorite then proclaimed that he would become the first mixed martial arts fighter in history to earn $1,000,000,000 over the course of his professional career.

Seeing a February fight against former undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker fall to the wayside prior to the UFC 284 pay-per-view event, Costa revealed the UFC had offered him a May return against Sean Strickland following contract talks.

Paulo Costa expressed interest in fighting Khamzat Chimaev this year

Furthermore, the top-5 contender claimed the UFC were chomping at the bit for a fight between him and the undefeated welterweight contender, Chimaev, who has been linked with a return at UFC 294 in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE – on ‘Fight Island’.

Whilst failing to shed total light on his comeback to the organization, Costa revealed on his official social media how he has been approached with three fight offers from the UFC.

“I have 3 offers in (sic) tables right now,” Paulo Costa tweeted.

I have 3 offers in tables right now

— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) March 25, 2023

Prior to his second round TKO loss to the above-mentioned, Adesanya in their 2020 title fight, Costa had turned in consecutive victories over the likes of Yoel Romero, Uriah Hall, and former undisputed welterweight titleholder, Johny Hendricks.