Dana White has provided an update on Khamzat Chimaev and why he hasn’t fought since September.
Ever since Chimaev beat Kevin Holland in the first round at UFC 279, many wondered when he would be fighting next. Yet, eight months later there still has been no update, and before UFC 288, Dana White spoke to TSN and said Chimaev is dealing with personal issues which is delaying his return.
“That’s on him,” White said during an interview with TSN. “He’s got stuff going on in his personal life. That’s not because we’re not getting a fight. Obviously you know how it goes here. I talk about this all the time. We have to get guys three fights a year. So if we don’t get guys three fights a year we have to pay them. The only way that wouldn’t happen is if they have personal stuff going on.”
Chimaev Disputes White’s Comments
After White’s comments, many fans began to wonder if that meant Chimaev will even fight this year at all. Yet, a few days later, Khamzat Chimaev saw Dana White’s comments and took to social media to dispute that and say he has been waiting for a fight.
I have no problems with fights, if they gave me a fight, I would have fought a long time ago, I did so many training camps and not one fight, the problem is definitely not with me, prepared in dubai then to thailand, why do I train so much if there is no fight, I don’t understand
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) May 8, 2023
“I have no problems with fights, if they gave me a fight, I would have fought a long time ago, I did so many training camps and not one fight, the problem is definitely not with me, prepared in dubai then to thailand, why do I train so much if there is no fight, I don’t understand,” Chimaev wrote on Twitter.
Not only did Khamzat Chimaev dispute Dana White’s claims, but he then took to Twitter again to call out several fighters at both middleweight and welterweight.
I can fight with everyone I don't care who @bullyb170 @USMAN84kg @stylebender @Leon_edwardsmma @ColbyCovMMA @robertwhittaker
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) May 8, 2023
“I can fight with everyone I don’t care who @bullyb170 @USMAN84kg @stylebender @Leon_edwardsmma @ColbyCovMMA @robertwhittaker,” Chimaev added.
Currently, Chimaev is without a fight, but Chael Sonnen has reported that the Swede will return in October against Paulo Costa. So, perhaps the UFC is holding Chimaev until the pay-per-view event in Abu Dhabi.
