Khamzat Chimaev, the unbeaten middleweight challenger, is eyeing a return to the Octagon at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi, with his sights set on a shot at the title. The Chechen-born contender, currently ranked 11th in the middleweight division, has been out of action since his last appearance in October 2022 in the United Arab Emirates.
Chimaev was scheduled to headline a fight against former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in Saudi Arabia last month, but was forced to withdraw due to a “violent” illness. Despite his recent inactivity, the 28-year-old has been training hard in anticipation of his return to the cage.
In a recent interview with MatchTV, Chimaev revealed his plans for the future, stating, “Most likely [I will fight at UFC 308] in October in Abu Dhabi. The opponent is not yet known, but I would like to fight for the title. I have seven fights, seven victories. There is no fighter in the UFC who has won seven fights without fighting for the belt. Dana White constantly says different things, but we are negotiating.”
Chimaev’s impressive undefeated record of seven consecutive victories has certainly caught the attention of the UFC brass, and he believes he deserves a chance to compete for the middleweight title. However, his recent absence from competition and the reported health issues he faced leading up to the Whittaker bout may raise some concerns among fans and pundits.
The middleweight division is currently dominated by the reigning champion, Israel Adesanya, who has held the title since 2019. Adesanya has successfully defended the belt against the likes of Marvin Vettori, Robert Whittaker, and Paulo Costa, among others. Chimaev’s potential title shot would undoubtedly be a significant test for the champion, as the Chechen fighter has demonstrated his impressive skills and finishing ability throughout his UFC tenure.
