Khamzat Chimaev has shed light on his decision to decline the UFC 300 main event spot and has disclosed his plans for a return to the Octagon.
Set to unfold on Saturday, April 13th, at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada, UFC 300 promises a riveting showdown. At the apex of the event, the spotlight will shine on a fierce light heavyweight title clash featuring reigning champion Alex Pereira (9-2 MMA) squaring off against Jamahal Hill (12-1 MMA).
‘Borz’, as Chimaev is affectionately known, revealed that the UFC extended the main event offer to him, but he opted out. The proposed headline bout could have showcased the unbeaten prowess of Khamzat Chimaev (13-0 MMA) against UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards (22-3 MMA). However, fate had other plans.
In a candid conversation with ‘FCR MMA,’ Chimaev hinted at his anticipated comeback to the cage, stating:
“I anticipate our return in the summer. I harbor aspirations of competing in Saudi Arabia, but it appears that finding a willing adversary there might prove challenging. We’re in a state of anticipation regarding what lies ahead.”
Regarding his decision to forego a bout at the historic UFC 300, Khamzat Chimaev elaborated further (via MMAJunkie):
“The offer was to step into the ring at UFC 300, but I deemed the timeframe too brief for the welterweight division. I require ample preparation time. The prospect of facing Edwards was not a certainty; my manager expressed uncertainty. Additionally, my brother cautioned against scheduling fights during Ramadan. Post-Ramadan, we intend to allocate time for a rigorous training camp before accepting any challenges.”
In 2024, Ramadan spans from March 10th to April 9th. Throughout this holy month, devout Muslims, including Chimaev, observe a fast from dawn until sunset each day.
At 29 years old, Chimaev’s most recent triumph occurred in October of the previous year when he secured a majority decision victory over Kamaru Usman (20-4 MMA) at UFC 294.
