Khamzat Chimaev's highly anticipated UFC clash with Robert Whittaker in Saudi Arabia has been derailed. UFC CEO Dana White announced on Thursday that Chimaev will not compete on June 22 due to a severe illness.
"Unfortunately, Khamzat Chimaev is out of the fight next weekend in Saudi Arabia," White stated. "Violently, and I mean violently, ill. So he's going back home and hopefully he gets well soon."
Stepping into the spotlight is middleweight contender Ikram Aliskerov, who will now face former middleweight champion Whittaker in what promises to be an electrifying showdown.
"This guy is 15-1. His only loss in a 16-fight pro career is to Khamzat Chimaev," White said. "So this dude is a legit contender in only his third UFC fight. If he gets a knockout against Robert Whittaker, he'll go into a tie for the longest active UFC knockout streak... We offered everybody in the division this fight. Nobody would take it except Robert Whittaker. The main event is badass. This should be a great fight."
.@robwhittakermma vs Aliskerov LIVE and FREE on @ABCNetwork Saturday June 22nd @Turki_alalshikh #UFCSaudiArabia @RiyadhSeason #RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/ERPDi5XEqT
— danawhite (@danawhite) June 13, 2024
Aliskerov, who earned his UFC contract by dominating Mário Sousa in the Dana White Contender Series in 2022, has been on a tear. He debuted in the UFC in 2023 with a first-round knockout of Phil Hawes and followed that up with a TKO victory over Warlley Alves at UFC 294.
Facing Whittaker will be Aliskerov's toughest challenge yet. Whittaker, the former middleweight champion with a 25-7 record, is coming off a unanimous decision win against Paulo Costa at UFC 298 and is eager to reassert his dominance in the division.
With Chimaev sidelined, Aliskerov has a golden opportunity to make a name for himself against one of the sport's greats. UFC fans can expect fireworks when these two warriors meet in the Octagon on June 22.