MMA

Chimaev explains withdrawal from June bout against Whittaker

Chimaev explains withdrawal from June bout against Whittaker
Photo: Louis Grasse/Keystone Press Agency

Undefeated UFC fighter Khamzat Chimaev, representing the United Arab Emirates, has shed light on why his bout with former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker fell through in June. 

"I was in the training camp. The first month went very well, but in the last three weeks, my immune system dropped. I don't know what happened. All the guys were eating the same food as me, but only I got sick. Then I spent a couple of days in the hospital before resuming training. But the same thing happened again. The doctor said, 'You just need to stay out of the gym, not train, do nothing.' So I headed home to the mountains," Chimaev stated in an interview with the UFC YouTube channel.

The fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Robert Whittaker was initially scheduled for June 22, but it was postponed. The opponents are now set to meet in the octagon at UFC 308, which will take place in Abu Dhabi on October 26.

Throughout his mixed martial arts career, Chimaev has won all 13 of his fights. Whittaker holds a record of 26 wins and seven losses in MMA.

UFC