Dana White is already planning a new fight date for Khamzat Chimaev after he had to pull out of UFC Saudi Arabia due to a violent illness. Chimaev, who was set to face Robert Whittaker in the main event, has been dealing with health issues that have affected his career in the past. Despite announcing his retirement in 2021 after a serious illness, Chimaev returned to the octagon and defeated top fighters like Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns.
Chimaev has not fought since October of last year when he controversially defeated Usman. Before that, a weight miss at UFC 279 led to the cancellation of his fight with Nate Diaz and a quick rearrangement to face Kevin Holland. Although he was supposed to fight Whittaker in Saudi Arabia, he was replaced by Ikram Aliskerov, who suffered a first-round knockout. White is now looking at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi as a potential return date for Chimaev.
During a post-fight press conference, White hinted at the possibility of moving Chimaev’s fight to Abu Dhabi for UFC 308. The UFC is scheduled to hold their annual event at the Etihad Arena on October 26, marking their 20th show in the region. Chimaev’s teammate, Alexander Gustafsson, shared insights into Chimaev’s health struggles, revealing that he has always had issues with colds and illnesses that worsened with intense training.
Gustafsson emphasized Chimaev’s work ethic and dedication to training, which may be contributing to his health problems. He expressed hope that medical tests will uncover the root cause of Chimaev’s health issues and lead to effective treatment. Despite the setbacks, Gustafsson believes that Chimaev has the potential to defeat top champions in his weight classes, such as Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya.
As Chimaev continues to focus on his recovery and training, fans are eager to see him back in the octagon. White’s efforts to reschedule his fight demonstrate the UFC’s commitment to supporting their fighters through health challenges. With a potential return at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi, Chimaev has the opportunity to showcase his skills and make a strong comeback in the middleweight and welterweight divisions.