UFC suffers new blow as Khamzat Chimaev ‘violently ill’ ahead of Saudi Arabia card

O UFC suffered a major blow on the same day that the cancellation of Conor McGregor’s fight was announced, with Khamzat Chimaev Outside of June 22 main event in Saudi Arabia.

McGregor’s UFC 303 main fight against Michael Chandler set for June 29 was canceled this Thursday (13th) June due to the Irishman’s injury. The co-main event was also interrupted, with Jamahal Hill being replaced by Anthony Smith, who faces Carlos Ulberg – who was already in Khalil Rountree Jr’s place.

And the UFC had to make more adjustments, with an illness ruling Chimaev out of the main event of next week’s Fight Night. The Russian would fight the former middleweight champion Robert Whittakerbut UFC president Dana White said: “Unfortunately Khamzat Chimaev is out of the fight next weekend in Saudi Arabia.

“[He’s] violently, and I mean violently, sickly. So, he’s going home and I hope he gets better soon.”

Ikram Aliskerov will replace Chimaev against Whittaker.

Russian Aliskerov suffered the only defeat of his professional career in 2019, losing to Chimaev by knockout in the first round. Whittaker intends to build on his victory over Paulo Costa, who the Australian overcame in February.

Chimaev, 30, started his MMA career in electric fashion, going 10-0 with submissions in the first two rounds of each fight. However, failed weight cuts and recurring illnesses slowed his momentum.

The Russian last fought in October, overcoming former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, who replaced Costa at the last minute.

Chimaev’s fight with Whittaker, who held the middleweight belt from 2017 to 2019, was supposed to crown the next No. 1 contender at 185 pounds. Current title holder Dricus Du Plessis, who defeated Whittaker last year, is expected to defend the belt against former champion Israel Adesanya this year.

The UFC card in Riyadh will be the promotion’s first event in Saudi Arabia.