While Khamzat Chimaev won’t compete at UFC Saudi Arabia on Saturday evening, his manager has confirmed that he isn’t giving up on his MMA ambitions just yet.
The last few years have been tough for ‘Borz’, who’s had to deal with a plethora of health issues stalling his rise to the pinnacle of the sport.
Khamzat Chimaev will not retire from mixed martial arts after UFC Saudi Arabia withdrawal
In a match-up that caught the imagination of fight fans around the globe, Khamzat Chimaev was scheduled to take part in a blockbuster clash with Robert Whittaker this weekend.
The battle, which pitted one of the company’s most terrifying grapplers against a former champion blessed with remarkable striking skills and powers of resilience, looked guaranteed to give MMA enthusiasts a potential fight of the year.
Alas, due to an unrevealed illness, the Swede was left with no choice but to pull out of the bout, prompting Ikram Aliskerov to step up to the plate and take his spot.
The saddening turn of events has left combat sports heads in a state of complete and utter disarray, with many fearing that the popular athlete may never grace the cage again.
After all, this isn’t the first time his health has forced him to withdraw from a bout. In December 2020, the Russian-born sportsman’s career was rail-roaded when he was hit with Covid-19 before his scheduled contest with Leon Edwards.
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With the fans utterly enthralled by the match-up, Dana White gave the charismatic brawler several months to recover, rescheduling the contest for March. However, with the impact of the virus having such a debilitating impact, the All Star fighter couldn’t even compete on the new date.
With Long-Covid taking its toll on his lungs, an emotional Chimaev retired from the sport. Luckily, in a testament to his powers of self-belief, the grappler managed to grind his way back from the brink, but after this latest health scare, his career has been left hanging in the balance once more.
The situation will only add to the frustration the 30-year-old must feel, with the prospect of reaching his optimum potential moving further and further out of reach.
However, his manager, Mahdi Shammas, is adamant that his client isn’t giving up on his hopes and dreams anytime soon.
He told Tass: “Khamzat has no intention of retiring.
“This is a devastating turn of events for Khamzat, his coaches, training partners, and other members of the team.
“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. The situation is not simple. Khamzat will undergo additional examinations to understand what to do next.”
The harrowing ordeal is nothing short of horrendous for Chimaev and all of his team. But for now, attention switches to Robert Whittaker, who will look to earn another shot at the belt.
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On June 22, ‘Bobby Knuckles’ will collide with Aliskerov in a bout that looks bound to excite. While on paper, the Australian should have the experience to render his opponent unconscious, the Russian certainly isn’t coming to lie down.
With a 15-1 record featuring victories over Warlley Alves and Phil Hawes, the Dagestani has proven his skills beyond doubt. And now he’s ready to dive in at the deep end.
Ultimately, Whittaker’s willingness to fight anyone, anytime, anywhere, is the reason why the public has grown so fond of him.
Blessed with a remarkable fighting spirit, the Australian is a bonafide legend, who knows a victory will likely secure another title fight.
However, while ‘The Reaper’ is on the cusp of earning back the belt he lost in such dramatic fashion to Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland believes he’s the rightful number one contender, which hasn’t gone down too well with Whittaker’s manager, who’s fired a few shots in the American’s direction.
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