Chimaev’s management deny retirement rumours
NOT for the first time, unbeaten UFC middleweight title contender Khamzat Chimaev finds himself sidelined by a serious illness and has needed to allay fears surrounding his long-term future in the sport after speculation to the contrary in recent days.
Just like when he contracted a bad bout of coronavirus in early 2021, scrapping plans to twice match him against now-welterweight champion Leon Edwards, the 30-year-old’s latest acid test has been shelved as health problems persist once more.
His splash on the promotion’s scene was refreshing and potential seemingly endless, having scored a record-setting three wins in 66 days.
Since then, he’s only fought four times in 45 months – three shy of four full years – and activity statistics will worsen after being hospitalised before this Saturday’s middleweight headliner against Robert Whittaker. Ikram Askerov will take his place.
During an interview on The Jim Rome Show, UFC chief Dana White didn’t sound very hopeful about Chimaev’s future, an understandable stance to take given he’s in the dark about the 30-year-old’s durability and health status.
“The problem is that we really don’t know [what’s going on], every time this guy gets close to a fight – I saw video footage of him violently ill on the ground, hospitalised again.
Hadn’t trained for like three-to-five days, can’t remember, but we could not put him into a fight. It’s been hard lately to get him into the octagon, he gets really sick every time he’s close to fighting.”
He followed that up by saying Chimaev doesn’t have the luxury of medical personnel and treatment Stateside either as he’s based in the Middle East, so he’s “out of touch” in that regard and it’s tough as someone not exactly easy to reach.
Nonetheless, Chimaev’s manager Majdi Shammas was optimistic about the Chechen’s recovery and vowed he’ll be back in a statement to MMA Junkie.
His last appearance was a three-round majority decision win over former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, competing with 10 days’ notice up a weight class, back at UFC 294 on October 21.
While facing an entirely different dangerous proposition this weekend in Riyadh, Whittaker’s just grateful his fight camp hasn’t gone to waste.
During an interview with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn on Monday, the former titlist said changes were quick and naturally he’s thankful to still be featuring.
“My coach pulled me aside and told the Khamzat news, UFC had worked something out and a new opponent was up to the plate. It’s not disappointing as such, I’m lucky to a degree – fight’s still happening.”
On the challenge Aliskerov now poses: “I watched a couple fights, some footage and tape – he’s a dangerous guy, really strong skillset. He knows what he’s good at and uses that to great effect. I think the mentality behind him stepping up to the plate last minute – with everything to gain jumping up, fighting someone in the top five, I expect him to come out really hard, aggressive and bring that level of threat.”
Multiple names were linked with this shot, including rising star Bo Nickal and the aforementioned Usman, but Whittaker – eager to fight again on the promotion’s PPV card down Under – will look to seize Aliskerov’s seven-fight win streak.
Picture source: Getty, quotes via mmajunkie
Mo and Sports 