There is a sense of anticipation in the air as Khamzat Chimaev prepares to face Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi. You may recall that Chimaev was supposed to compete against the former middleweight champion in June, but those plans were abruptly derailed when he fell mysteriously ill, leaving him “violently ill” in hospital. As you might expect, Chimaev’s reflections on this episode reveal his confusion and frustration regarding the unknown illness that disrupted his career.
Chimaev, an undefeated fighter since turning pro in 2018, was on track to solidify his status as a top contender. However, just one week before his highly anticipated bout against Whittaker, UFC CEO Dana White announced Chimaev’s hospitalisation, paving the way for Ikram Aliskerov to step in. Unfortunately for Aliskerov, he faced a knockout defeat in the first round against Whittaker, leaving fans to wonder what could have been had Chimaev been able to compete.
Now, with UFC 308 looming, Chimaev is keen to clarify his state of health. He explained during the UFC 308 Countdown show, “We was in training camp, the first month was very good. The last three weeks, my immunity goes down. I don’t know what happened. All the guys ate the same food, but only me got sick.” This sentiment underscores the unpredictability of illness and injury in the world of athletics. You can sense his frustration having had to endure hospital stays while others remained healthy.
Chimaev’s situation worsened to the point where a doctor advised him to take a break from training entirely. Amidst his recovery, he retreated to his home in the mountains, hoping to regain his strength. “I came out and started training again and the same sh*t happened again,” he expressed, highlighting the debilitating nature of the illness. Fortunately for fans and Chimaev alike, he has seemingly returned to peak fitness in time for the rematch.
You can expect a compelling showdown as Chimaev enters the octagon to face Whittaker, who is determined to reclaim his place as a champion. Whittaker has made it clear that he is fully focused, stating, “I’ve left no stone unturned, and I’ve trained my heart out for this.” He plans to go in with a singular objective: to outmanoeuvre Chimaev and deal a significant blow to his unbeaten record.
The battle between Chimaev and Whittaker promises to be a pivotal moment in both fighters’ careers. With Chimaev’s mysterious illness now in the rearview mirror, you can await a thrilling contest that may redefine the landscape of the UFC middleweight division.
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