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Khamzat Chimaev reportedly suffering from a severe case of food poisoning: ‘He wouldn’t be able to fight’

Khamzat Chimaev reportedly suffering from a severe case of food poisoning: 'He wouldn't be able to fight' Khamzat Chimaev’s friend and fellow fighter Abdul-Aziz Abdulvakhabov offered some insight into the illness that forced ‘Borz’ out of…

Khamzat Chimaev’s friend and fellow fighter Abdul-Aziz Abdulvakhabov offered some insight into the illness that forced ‘Borz’ out of his scrap with Robert Whittaker in Saudi Arabia.

On June 22, Chimaev was scheduled for a high-stakes middleweight clash with the former champion, the winner likely setting themselves up for a shot at the 185-pound crown in late 2024/early 2025. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case after Chimaev became “violently ill,” forcing him to bow out of the bout.

During a recent interview with Red Corner MMA, Abdulvakhabov revealed that the illness was food poisoning, though he stressed that he had not spoken to Chimaev directly and was informed by mutual friends of theirs.

“Food poisoning is always dangerous,” Abdulvakhabov said in a translated interview. “Accepting a fight with food poisoning, [Khamzat] knew his state, [knew] that he wouldn’t be able to fight. That’s why he called it off.”

Ikram Aliskerov steps in to replace Khamzat Chimaev in Saudi Arabia

Instead of fighting Chimaev inside Kingdom Arena, Robert Whittaker will now go toe-to-toe with Ikram Aliskerov who will make his third walk to the Octagon in Riyadh. Aliskerov is sitting on a seven-fight win streak dating back to 2019.

After securing a first-round submission victory over Mário Sousa on a 2022 episode of Dana White’s Contender Series, Aliskerov has earned a pair of quick finishes against Phil Hawes and Warlley Alves. His fight against ‘The Reaper’ will be his first appearance of 2024.

It’s unclear if Whittaker will still secure himself a title opportunity with a win at UFC Saudi Arabia. Much of that may depend on how things play out when Dricus Du Plessis defends the middleweight crown against former two-time titleholder Israel Adesanya.

Their clash is rumored to headline UFC 305 on August 18 when the promotion heads back to Perth, Australia.

Manager claims Kamaru Usman agreed to fight Robert Whittaker at UFC Saudi Arabia: ‘He said yes’

Former undisputed welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman is said to have accepted a short-notice offer from the promotion to headline…

Former undisputed welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman is said to have accepted a short-notice offer from the promotion to headline UFC Saudi Arabia this weekend against former champion, Robert Whittaker – in place of an ill, Khamzat Chimaev – according to his manager, Ali Abdelaziz.

Usman, a former undisputed welterweight titleholder and pound-for-pound number one, has been sidelined since October of last year in Abu Dhabi, taking on the above-mentioned Chimaev in a short-notice co-main event clash.

Robert Whittakers warns Khamzat Chimaev pre-Saudi Arabia fight I've an arsenal of skills he's not ready for

Suffering a controversial decision loss to the Chechen in his first middleweight walk, Kamaru Usman has been linked to a continued stint at 185lbs – and even was previously offered a challenge by Whittaker, who urged him to stay at the limit.

Kamaru Usman branded best welterweight of all time by UFC boss you cannot deny that — Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari – Zuffa LLC

And requiring a change of opponent on just days notice ahead of the promotion’s first outing in Riyadh this weekend, the UFC have landed on the surging, Ikram Aliskerov to take on former middleweight champion, Whittaker – with Dana White claiming every other contender in the division refused to fight on the date.

Kamaru Usman backed to fight Robert Whittaker at UFC Saudi Arabia

However, according to Abdelaziz, his client, Usman had accepted a short-notice turnaround to take on Auckland-born favorite, Whittaker, ultimately to no avail.

“@USMAN84kg sad (said) yes,” Ali Abdelaziz replied to a user on his official X account.

Himself claiming he had no idea whom Dana White’s Contender Series product, Aliskerov was before he booked the bout – Whittaker is tasked with handing the surging contender his second-ever loss in MMA – having himself suffered a knockout defeat to Chimaev earlier in his tenure.

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

Last featuring in the co-main event of UFC 298 in February, Whittaker landed an impressive decision victory over former middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa in Anaheim.

Would you like to see Robert Whittaker fight Kamaru Usman in the future?

Robert Whittaker reacts to Khamzat Chimaev’s UFC Saudi Arabia withdrawal: ‘It was a little frustrating’

Robert Whittaker is still thankful for the opportunity to headline the UFC’s highly anticipated debut in Saudi Arabia. Originally,…

Robert Whittaker is still thankful for the opportunity to headline the UFC’s highly anticipated debut in Saudi Arabia.

Originally, ‘The Reaper’ was set to square off with undefeated Chechen monster Khamzat Chimaev in what would have likely been a middleweight title eliminator. However, on Thursday, rumors began to swirl that ‘Borz’ was out of the bout due to an undisclosed illness.

Hours later, Dana White confirmed the news, revealing that streaking standout Ikram Aliskerov would step in and square off with Whittaker in Riyadh.

“Mate, when I knew it wasn’t happening (is when I found out). There weren’t any rumors or anything,” Whittaker told BJPENN.com from Dubai. “It was just that Khamzat is out, and then what’s going on now? It was a little frustrating, I spent like three months working a very specific gameplan for a very specific opponent, obviously Chimaev doesn’t fight like a lot of people, I really tailored the fight camp to that fighting style. I’m still fit, I’m still razor sharp.”

“I flew out here and I understand I’m the main event of the card that comes with a level of responsibility, it’s how I earn my living. I wanted to fight, I wanted the show to go on, and I wanted to do my job, so hats off to Ikram for taking the fight, and to the UFC for setting it up, and I look forward to putting on a show.”

Robert Whittaker never once considered backing out after chimaev’s exit

Even after getting the news of Chimaev’s withdrawal, Whittaker never once considered backing out of the event and was ready to fight any man willing to sign on the dotted line.

“Mate, there was no thought to not fight,” Whittaker said. “That is my job, that is what I flew across the world to do, and that is how I put bread on the table for my family. I understand I am the main event, a lot of eyes. It’s the first card in Saudi Arabia, so I want to be a part of that.”

Coming off a first-round knockout victory over Warlley Alves at UFC 294 in October, Ikram Aliskerov will make his third walk to the Octagon on June 22 inside Kingdom Arena. As it stands, Aliskerov is far outside the middleweight top 15, but all of that could change should he score what would likely become one of the biggest upsets in UFC history.

“There weren’t a lot of names thrown around, nobody would take it, it was too short notice,” Whittaker said. “I understand the level of danger Ikram brings in. He is a guy coming in last minute, he was fighting this weekend, so he’s ready, he has nothing to lose, everything to gain, and he has a dangerous skillset.”

Manager confirms ‘Persistent illness’ rules Khamzat Chimaev from UFC Saudi Arabia fight: ‘We can’t carry on like this’

Khamzat Chimaev’s manager, Majdi Shammas has confirmed his client is currently dealing with a “persistent illness” that has now…

Khamzat Chimaev’s manager, Majdi Shammas has confirmed his client is currently dealing with a “persistent illness” that has now forced him out of his scheduled UFC Fight NIght Saudi Arabia main event with former champion, Robert Whittaker next weekend in Riyadh.

Chimaev, the current number ten ranked middleweight contender, was officially ruled from his slated headliner against Whittaker next weekend in Saudi Arabia through injury – with UFC CEO, Dana White claiming the unbeaten Chechen was “violently ill”.

In his place steps Russian contender, Ikram Aliskerov – who books his first headliner in the UFC just three fights deep into his tenure, taking on former champion, Whittaker following a two-fight winning spree since landing in the Octagon from the Contender Series.

Khamzat Chimaev ruled from UFC Saudi Arabia due to “persistent illness”

And in a statement released overnight, the above-mentioned Shammas confirmed a “persistent” health battle during training camp had forced Chimaev from the bout – who is currently receiving treatment in a hospital.

Khamzat Chimaev picked to land KO win over Robert Whittaker at UFC Saudi Arabia he's got power

“It’s with great disappointment announced that Khamzat Chimaev (13-) has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled fight against #3 ranked Robert Whittaker on June 22nd in Riyadh,” Shammas posted on Instagram.

Here’s a statement from Khamzat Chimaev’s manager Majdi Shammas after the #UFCSaudiArabia withdrawal. pic.twitter.com/Bw3NW9iQAH

— Nolan King (@mma_kings) June 14, 2024

“The persistent illness that Khamzat has been battling for major parts of training camp could not be cured in time. He has been in and out of hospitals several times. The condition has been kept within the team, since everyone has been absolutely committed to finding a solution. Althought all available options have been throughly considered, it has now come to a point where the team has mutually agreed that it is not possible to carry on like this.”

“Stepping into the cage not proprly prepared against such a formidable opponent as Robert (Whittaker) is unfortunately impossible.”

Chimaev’s most recent outing came in the form of a short-notice UFC 294 co-main event last October, in the form of a close, debated majority decision win over former welterweight champion and pound-for-pound number one, Kamaru Usman.

When do you expect to see Khamzat Chimaev fight again?

Official – ‘Violently ill’ Khamzat Chimaev out of UFC Saudi Arabia fight, Robert Whittaker now faces Ikram Aliskerov

Amid reports regarding his participation in next weekend’s UFC Saudi Arabia main event, Khamzat Chimaev has been forced from…

Amid reports regarding his participation in next weekend’s UFC Saudi Arabia main event, Khamzat Chimaev has been forced from his premiere headliner against former champion, Robert Whittaker in Riyadh, with CEO, Dana White confirming a “violently ill” Chimaev has been replaced by the surging, Ikram Alisrekov.

Earlier this evening, reports emerged detailing how unbeaten Chechen finisher, Chimaev was out of his scheduled fight with former champion, Whittaker next weekend in the promotion’s first trip to Saudi Arabia.

And tonight, Chimaev has been pictured in a hospital bed with fellow UFC fighter, Guram Kutateladze supporting the middleweight contender.

Robert Whittaker faces Ikram Aliskerov with Khamzat Chimaev out of UFC Saudi Arabia

Providing an update on the main event bout, UFC boss, White confirmed how Chimaev was “violently ill” and would not be fighting at UFC Saudi Arabia, with former titleholder, Whittaker instead taking on Aliskerov in a short-notice headliner in Riyadh.

.@robwhittakermma vs Aliskerov LIVE and FREE on @ABCNetwork Saturday June 22nd @Turki_alalshikh #UFCSaudiArabia @RiyadhSeason #RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/ERPDi5XEqT

— danawhite (@danawhite) June 13, 2024

Sidelined since February of this year, Whittaker most recently bounced back to winning ways in a unanimous decision win over former title challenger, Paulo Costa in the co-main event of UFC 299 in Anaheim.

As for Aliskerov, the Contender Series product is currently riding an impressive winning run – landing victories in his first Octagon outings.

In his debut in the UFC, Aliskerov took out Phil Hawes with an opening round knockout, before dispatching Warlley Alves with a first round flying knee to boot. In his sole professional defeat, Aliskerov was finished by Chimaev with an opening round KO defeat of his own.

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

UFC Saudi Arabia takes place on June 22. from Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a middleweight fight between Robert Whittaker and Ikram Aliskerov slated to take main event status.

What are your thoughts on Khamzat Chimaev’s latest withdrawal?