The next time [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag] steps into the UFC’s octagon, he wants gold on the line.
The undefeated Chimaev (13-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) has not competed since October 2023 at UFC 294 in a majority decision victory over former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. He’s now eyeing a return to action a year later at UFC 308.
“Most likely (my return will happen) in October in Abu Dhabi,” Chimaev told Match TV in Russian. “(The opponent is) unknown so far. 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.”
[lawrence-related id=2755076,2754745,2749182]
Chimaev is mistaken about his statistics, however. There are currently two other undefeated fighters in the UFC who have won eight fights and not yet earned a title shot: Movsar Evloev and Ian Machado Garry.
A middleweight title fight between current champion Dricus Du Plessis and former champ Israel Adesanya is set for UFC 305 on August 17 in Perth, Australia.
Chimaev was scheduled to compete against former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in the UFC on ABC 6 headliner in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on June 22 but was forced to withdraw due to health issues. This problem has occurred on more than one occasion during his UFC career and has concerned promotion CEO Dana White.
“Lately it’s been hard to get him into the octagon,” White recently said on “The Jim Rome Show.” “Every time he gets close to fighting, he gets really sick. I don’t know what to say. It’s not like he’s over here in this country and we’ve had doctors look at him or anything like that. He’s sort of out of touch, so, it’s tough to deal with.”
When Chimaev makes it to the cage, he’s been a force.
He’s undefeated in seven UFC bouts across the welterweight and middleweight divisions with five stoppages. Many, including White, have been high on his prospect as a potential champion.
Despite his recent health setback that cost him an opportunity to pick up a win over a second former champion, Chimaev wants a title shot in his return.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.