UFC 312 is headlined by two title fights at the top of the bill when the Octagon returns to Sydney, Australia
Khamzat Chimaev doesn’t have a fight booked right now but it seems likely that he will be in attendance this weekend at the Qudos Bank Arena.
In the main event on February 8, middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis will look to defend his title against Sean Strickland in a rematch of their first encounter at UFC 297.
Just over a year on from their first meeting, the build to UFC 312 hasn’t had the same grudge match feel although that could still change throughout fight week.
One of the biggest talking points ahead of the main event revolves around a middleweight contender who isn’t scheduled to feature on Saturday night’s card.
Many believe that Chimaev will inevitably fight for the title against either Du Plessis or Strickland with Chael Sonnen predicting that we could see this sooner rather than later.
Chael Sonnen predicts that Khamzat Chimaev will be the backup fighter at UFC 312
Chael Sonnen believes that Khamzat Chimaev will be ready to weigh-in as the backup fighter this weekend in Sydney should he be needed.
It has been reported ahead of time that the UFC will not be having a top contender at 185-pounds on standby in case they need him which has been a frequently used process in recent times.
We have already lost one PPV main event this year after Arman Tsarukyan was forced to withdraw from his UFC 311 rematch with Islam Makhachev and whilst Renato Moicano did step into the title fight, he wasn’t an official backup.
In a recent YouTube video, Sonnen pointed to the location of this fight as a potential hint that Chimaev’s involvement will be much more significant than having him appear at some point in the broadcast.
“I think Chimaev’s the backup fighter,” he said.
“I don’t believe that Chimaev is just the number one contender. I don’t believe that the proximity of this fight is something that you would not book Chimaev who allegedly has Western travel issues. I don’t think you would do that without bringing him.
“I’m confident that Chimaev will be there, I’m confident he will be in attendance, so why if you’re flying him out would you not put him on the scale the day before? I’m asking, I don’t know that answer.”
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The shadow of Khamzat Chimaev looms large over UFC 312
Even if Khamzat Chimaev doesn’t end up being a major presence at UFC 312, his status in the middleweight division certainly will be.
Both Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland have already spoken about the idea of him being next and the undefeated contender seemed impossible to deny following his win over Robert Whittaker at UFC 308.
Chimaev is sure to be watching closely and though the two men involved in this weekend’s main event are going to be in for a tough fight, an even more daunting task could be waiting just around the corner for the man who emerges with his hand raised in Sydney.