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Report – Khamzat Chimaev out of UFC Saudi Arabia main event against Robert Whittaker on June 22

Report - Khamzat Chimaev out of UFC Saudi Arabia main event vs. Robert Whittaker on June 22 Khamzat Chimaev is out of his UFC Saudi Arabia headliner with Robert Whittaker. According to a report from Australian…

Khamzat Chimaev is out of his UFC Saudi Arabia headliner with Robert Whittaker.

According to a report from Australian MMA insider Benny P on X, the undefeated Chechen monster has withdrawn from his main event slot on June 22. Chimaev was scheduled to square off with ‘The Reaper’ in what would have likely been a middleweight title eliminator.

The report goes on to claim that the current front-runner to step into Chimaev’s spot is No. 4 ranked contender Nassourdine Imavov.

“Per sources Khamzat Chimaev is out of his fight Next week against Robert Whittaker the front runner to replace Chimaev is Nassourdine Imavov,” Benny P wrote.

Thus far, there is no word on what caused Chimaev to back out of the bout, but Whittaker made it clear on social media that he’s more than willing to accept anyone willing to step up, writing “Anyone Anywhere Anytime” on Instagram.

With the UFC already dealing with Conor McGregor drama, they really didn’t need another Khamzat Chimaev withdrawal

It’s an unfortunate turn of events for the UFC, especially considering the promotion is already dealing with a truckload of drama surrounding Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return which was originally scheduled to go down one week after the UFC’s debut in Saudi Arabia.

MMA Hour host Ariel Helwani recently shared another grim update about McGregor’s clash with Chandler at UFC 303, noting that the cancelation is a “formality” at this point and that Dana White and Co. are scrambling fast to find a replacement opponent for Chandler or a new fight altogether.

June has not been a very kind month to the UFC or MMA fans in general. Here’s to hoping the promotion can pull at least one rabbit out of their hat and save the second half of the month.

Dricus du Plessis eyes Khamzat Chimaev battle with UFC Saudi Arabia win: ‘I would love to fight him’

Undisputed middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis is all ears to a future title defense against the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev…

Undisputed middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis is all ears to a future title defense against the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev should he win next weekend at UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia – however, is less than keen on fighting ex-champion, Robert Whittaker again if he beats the Chechen this month.

du Plessis, the current undisputed middleweight kingpin, headlined UFC 297 back in January in Canada, landing the divisional crown in a controversial, and much debated split decision win over Sean Strickland.

dricus du plessis south africa 2023 1600x900

The victory kept the Pretoria native’s perfect promotional run in check since his 2020 debut with the organization to boot.

Dricus du Plessis eyes light heavyweight move chases title fight We've seen Alex Pereira get hurt a lot — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

And linked with a summer comeback fight, du Plessis recently revealed he had agreed to defend his crown next in a rescheduled title fight with former two-time champion, Israel Adesanya – with the duo linked to a UFC 305 battle in Perth as soon as August.

Dricus du Plessis eyes Khamzat Chimaev title fight

Sharing his thoughts on other contenders whom may present themselves to him in the future, du Plessis welcomed the chance to face off with Chimaev – as soon as he beats Whittaker as the prepare to fight next weekend in Riyadh.

gettyimages 1748811225 612x612 1 — ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – OCTOBER 21: Khamzat Chimaev of the United Arab Emirates prepares to face Kamaru Usman of Nigeria in a middleweight fight during the UFC 294 event at Etihad Arena on October 21, 2023 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

“Should he (Khamzat Chimaev) beat (Robert) Whittaker, I would love to fight Khamzat,” Dricus du Plessis told Fight Wave. “In my opinion, should Whittaker beat Khamzat, I don’t think it warrants him a title shot. Honestly [I] would love to see him and (Sean) Strickland fight it out for [a] number one contender fight.”

“I was willing to fight Strickland, Khamzat, (Israel) Adesanya,” Dricus du Plessis continued. “I’m champion. I have to fight who they [the UFC] give me. I want to fight the best guy. Strickland fans were like, ‘Fight him again.’ I said, ‘Guys, I will fight him again.’ I don’t make that decision [when].”

Would you like to see Dricus du Plessis fight Khamzat Chimaev this year?

Video – Khamzat Chimaev looking sharp in training montage ahead of Robert Whittaker fight on June 22

Undefeated Chechen monster Khamzat Chimaev is looking sharp ahead of his return to the Octagon. On Saturday, June 22,…

Undefeated Chechen monster Khamzat Chimaev is looking sharp ahead of his return to the Octagon.

On Saturday, June 22, the UFC will head to Kingdom Arena in Riyadh for its promotional debut in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Headlining the historic evening will be Chimaev as he looks to secure himself a middleweight title opportunity. To do so, he’ll have to go through Aussie fan favorite and former UFC champion Robert Whittaker.

With less than a month until fight night, ‘Borz’ offered fans a glimpse at his training via Instagram.

“Healthy body, healthy mind!” Chimaev wrote in the translated post.

The stakes are high for Khamzat Chimaev and Robert Whittaker

After a massive failure on the scale in September 2022, Chimaev made the move to middleweight where he earned a victory over short-notice replacement opponent Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 late last year. His fight with ‘The Reaper’ will be his first legitimate fight as a 185-pounder since a scrap with Gerald Meerschaert nearly four years ago.

As for Whittaker, the ex-titleholder will be seeking his second-straight victory inside the Octagon after earning a well-fought unanimous decision W over Paulo Costa in February.

Though the fight has not been labeled as an official title eliminator, the victor will likely move on to challenge the winner of the yet-to-be-announced title tilt between Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya.

Khamzat Chimaev backed to land second round KO win over Robert Whittaker at UFC Saudi Arabia: ‘He’s got power’

While many doubters have questioned the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev’s ability to hang with former champion, Robert Whittaker at UFC…

While many doubters have questioned the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev’s ability to hang with former champion, Robert Whittaker at UFC Saudi Arabia next month, his close friend, Darren Till has picked the Chechen to fell the soon-to-be common-foe with a second round knockout.

Chimaev, the current number ten ranked middleweight contender, improved to 13-0 as a professional back in October of last year with a controversial majority decision win over former welterweight champion and pound-for-pound number one, Kamaru Usman.

Michael Bisping issues warning to Khamzat Chimaev over UFC Saudi Arabia main event he always gasses — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

As for Whittaker, the former undisputed middleweight titleholder returned to winning ways at UFC 298 back in February, turning in an impressive judging win of his own against former championship challenger, Paulo Costa.

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

Himself slated to return in July at a massive boxing event in Arlington, Texas, former UFC star, Till is set to make his first venture to the squared circle in a showdown with former WBC world champion, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Khamzat Chimaev picked to KO Robert Whittaker next month

And backing close friend and training partner, Chimaev to beat Whittaker – Liverpool striker claimed the former would do so rather definitively, in the form of a knockout win at UFC Saudi Arabia in Riyadh.

“I think he’s (Khamzat Chimaev) gonna beat him (Robert Whittaker) in the second round,” Darren Till told The Mac Life. “Khamzat’s got power on the feet. He can really punch and kick. It’s gonna be a good fight.”

As for Whittaker, the fan-favorite stalwart issued a stern warning to the unbeaten, Chimaev, claiming if he does not manage to keep his cardio in check next month, he would hand him an early night in his first headlining bout since his making his move to the UFC.

Who wins next month at UFC Saudi Arabia: Khamzat Chimaev or Robert Whittaker?

Robert Whittaker promises ‘Early night’ for Khamzat Chimaev at UFC Saudi Arabia if he fails to ‘Pace’ himself

Slated to headline the promotion’s first-ever event in Riyadh, incoming UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia feature, Robert Whittaker has…

Slated to headline the promotion’s first-ever event in Riyadh, incoming UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia feature, Robert Whittaker has urged unbeaten force, Khamzat Chimaev to “pace” himself for his first five round clash since landing in the organization, or he will face an “early night”.

Whittaker, the current number three ranked middleweight contender, has been sidelined since he featured at UFC 298 back in February in a main card clash against former title chaser, Paulo Costa, landing a decision win over the Brazilian.

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

As for Chimaev, the Chechen-born contender has been sidelined since October of last year, where he moved to 13-0 with a controversial majority decision win over former welterweight champion and prior pound-for-pound pacesetter, Kamaru Usman.

Robert Whittaker vows to send Khamzat Chimaev for an early night

And drawing Whittaker next month at UFC Saudi Arabia, Chimaev sent a warning of a finish to the former champion ahead of their title-eliminator, however, has received his own promise of an early night if he blows his wad too early.

“Yeah, it’s a five round fight, so I’m sure his (Khamzat Chimaev) pacing gotta be a little different, otherwise it’s gonna be an early night for him,” Robert Whittaker told Fox Sports.

“It’s something to be aware of,” Robert Whittaker said of Khamzat Chimaev’s striking. “He’s got power, he’s got a very clean one-two down the pipe. I have taken it, like – I’m aware of it – definitely not, I’m not underestimating it, but I can handle it. And I do think I have the striking superiority.

Hoping to earn a rematch with newly-minted champion, Dricus du Plessis with a victory against Chimaev in the Middle East, Whittaker faced the South African back in July of last year during International Fight Week, dropping an upset second round TKO loss.

Who wins next month in Riyadh: Robert Whittaker or Khamzat Chimaev?

3 Most Anticipated MMA Fights of 2024

With this coming summer season set to bring some of the most high-profile fights of the year for the…

With this coming summer season set to bring some of the most high-profile fights of the year for the UFC, let’s take a look at the most anticipated bouts currently booked on paper ahead of a massive schedule for the sport leader.

Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier – UFC 302

Just mere weeks away, a huge undisputed lightweight title fight lands in Newark, New Jersey in June – with pound-for-pound number one, Islam Makhachev looking to rack up a third successful defense of his divisional title.

Islam Makhachev calls for division move after UFC 302 I've already beat everyone at lightweight — Mandatory Credit: Giuseppe Cacace

And matching with a fresh face following a pair of consecutive fights against former featherweight best, Alexander Volkanovski, dominant champion, Makhachev takes on the returning former interim champion, Dustin Poirier – who looks to strike it third time lucky in pursuit of an undisputed crown.

Earning his return to a title setting at UFC 302, Lafayette veteran, Poirier rallied against the surging, Benoit Saint Denis back in March – halting the Nimes native’s run through the division, with a highlight-reel KO win. Entering at number one on our list of the top three most anticipated bouts of the year – fans can bet on MMA fights – including Makhachev’s title defense against Poirier, up and until they enter the Octagon next month.

Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev – UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia

Marking the promotion’s first foray to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – former undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker looks to keep his slot atop the division’s elite, and likely earn himself another shot at his former crown, as he takes on unbeaten berserker, Khamzat Chimaev.

Whittaker, a fan-favorite former undisputed titleholder at 185lbs – returned to winning ways back in February at UFC 298 against former championship chaser, Paulo Costa, battling over the course of three rounds to land himself a split judging victory.

As for Chimaev, the Chechnya-born starlet has admittedly lost a head of steam built up since his October decision win over former champion and pound-for-pound pacesetter, Kamaru Usman in Abu Dhabi. However, he can go a long way to generating massive backing for a title fight once more with a victory over a name like Whittaker.

Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler – UFC 303

Arguably the most anticipated of these three fights we’ve chosen ahead of a huge summer period – especially for the mass audience and onlookers comes in the form of a return fight for ex-two-weight champion, Conor McGregor against rival, Michael Chandler at the end of next month at UFC 303 during International Fight Week.

Without a win since 2020 and sidelined for the last three years since a gruesome leg fracture, former undisputed lightweight and featherweight gold holder, McGregor makes his return to the welterweight limit of 170lbs in tandem with his entrance back to the Octagon.

For Chandler, the ex-Bellator MMA thrice-time lightweight gold holder will snap an almost two-year hiatus himself from active competition in his much-sought-after fight with the Dublin megastar, and with the added caveat of a first welterweight walk since a professional debut back in 2009, both have been flapping gums aplenty – with first round knockout predictions fielded by both.