Ariel Helwani dropped a bombshell during Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour, revealing that Dana White’s “top choice” for the UFC 300 main event is a welterweight title clash between reigning champion Leon Edwards and Khamzat Chimaev.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear to be happening.
Helwani discussed a series of potential options currently in play for the heavily speculated headliner on April 13, the most intriguing being the proposed title tilt between ‘Rocky’ and the undefeated Chechen monster.
“If the UFC had their way… If they could snap their fingers and make the biggest fight in their mind happen — and the fight that they’ve been working on happen — and have their say as to what is the main event for UFC 300, I think that they would make Leon Edwards vs. Khamzat Chimaev,” Helwani stated. “I believe when Dana White is talking bout the hurdles and the issues, I believe that’s about securing Khamzat’s ability to fight in the United States.
“This has been rumored for quite some time that he has issues coming over to the States. The last time he fought here was in Jacksonville almost two years ago. I believe that’s been part of the holdup. If they can’t secure that matchup, I believe they would look at Khamzat vs. [Dricus Du Plessis], but I think the top choice is Leon vs. Khamzat.”
Ariel Helwani: I think that the top choice is Leon vs. Khamzat. This could all fizzle out and I think we'll find out in the next few days. But I believe that is the top choice at the moment.
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) February 12, 2024
I also believe those other 3 fights are at play as well. Leon/Belal, Izzy/DDP and… pic.twitter.com/rikpr2Chze
Shortly after the news started to make the rounds, Khamzat Chimaev went on the record and ruled himself out of competing at UFC 300 despite the reports.
“I will fight everybody,” Chimaev told MMA Uncensored. “Leon [Edwards], [Dricus] du Plessis, anyone, but not [during] Ramadan. I think Ramadan [is during] UFC 300. Maybe somebody in Saudi Arabia. I want to fight there. Not fighting in Ramadan anymore.”
Ramadan starts on March 10 and ends on April 9, with practicing Muslims required to observe strict fasting with no food or water whatsoever during daytime hours. With UFC 300 scheduled to go a mere down four days after Chimaev’s month-long fast, it’s understandable why ‘Borz’ would want to take a pass.
The UFC’s tentative debut in Riyadh is scheduled for June 22, giving Chimaev plenty of time to recover and prepare for a return to the Octagon.
With Khamzat Chimaev Out, Where Does That Leave the UFC 300 Main Event?
With Chimaev seemingly out, that leaves us with little options. Of the ones Helwani mentioned, Israel Adesanya vs. Dricus Du Plessis appears to be the next best. But with DDP recently going toe-to-toe with Sean Strickland in a five-round war at UFC 297, it’s possible ‘Stillknocks’ may not be 100% in time to make the walk this spring.
That leaves one option left — Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad. On paper, the fight makes sense. Edwards is the current welterweight champion. Muhammad is the No. 2 ranked contender in the division and is riding a nine-fight win streak. However, the fight lacks a certain amount of flair that one would expect for such a landmark main event.
