UFC Saudi Arabia is scheduled to take place this Saturday at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Khamzat Chimaev was supposed to fight Robert Whittaker in the main event of the show. Unfortunately, Chimaev had to withdraw from the fight due to an illness.
Recently, several rumors circulated on social media regarding Chimaev’s health condition and potential retirement. However, Majdi Shammas, Khamzat Chimaev’s manager, squashed the retirement rumors during an interview with MMA Junkie.
“It’s [retirement rumors are] absolutely not true. We’re planning on getting to the bottom of this situation, the problems. He will be back.”
Last Friday, Majdi Shammas stated on Instagram that Khamzat Chimaev was hospitalized several times during the training camp. MMA fighter Abdul-Aziz Abdulvakhabov told Ushatayka that Chimaev had been dealing with food poisoning.
“Khamzat [Chimaev] had food poisoning. I’ve been told by my close friends. It happens, we can all get sick or injured. Food poisoning is always dangerous, accepting a fight with food poisoning… He knew his state, [knew] that he wouldn’t be able to fight. That’s why he called it off.”
H/T Red Corner MMA
Khamzat Chimaev (13-0) last competed at UFC 294, where he defeated Kamaru Usman via majority decision.