Khamzat Chimaev has set a date for his next Octagon appearance and he wants the fight to have some significant stakes.
Chimaev has not competed since his middleweight debut at UFC 294 in October 2023, where he defeated former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman by majority decision. “Bolz” was scheduled to face Robert Whittaker at UFC on ABC 6 in Saudi Arabia on June 22, but a serious illness caused the Chechen-born Swede to withdraw from the bout.
A win in this bout would likely put Chimaev in the running for the 185-pound championship, but he believes he should have a shot at middleweight gold in his next bout, which he expects to get at UFC 308 on October 26, barring any unexpected setbacks.
“most likely [my return will happen] “It will be held in Abu Dhabi in October,” Chimaev told Match TV.[The opponent is] I’m still unknown. I want to fight for the title.
“I had seven fights and seven wins. No fighter has ever won seven matches in the UFC without fighting for a belt.”
Chimaev’s record is not entirely accurate, but he is 7-0 with the Las Vegas-based organization, with only one of those wins coming at middleweight. Dricus du Plessis will defend his 185-pound belt against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in Perth on August 17. Meanwhile, Whittaker and former champion Sean Strickland both have claims to the No. 1 contender spot at 185, and it’s unclear whether Chimaev’s claim will be granted.
