UFC CEO Dana White is holding his breath ahead of UFC 308. While the UFC 307 card last weekend gave fans an unforgettable clash between Alex Pereira and Khalil Rountree Jr., all eyes are now on the Etihad Arena as the Octagon heads to Abu Dhabi on October 26. The card is headlined by a featherweight championship bout between Max Holloway and Ilia Topuria. But there’s another matchup that has the UFC boss on edge!

The co-main event of the night features a middleweight showdown between Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev. It’s no secret that Chimaev’s road to UFC 308 hasn’t been easy, and Dana White is hoping that things fall into place this time around!

Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev were originally scheduled to clash at UFC on ABC6 on June 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. But why did the fight fall through? ‘Borz’ was reported to have suffered from a serious health concern that led to him being hospitalized. In the words of Dana White, “Unfortunately, Khamzat Chimaev is out of the fight in Saudi Arabia. [He’s] violently, and I mean violently, ill. So he’s going back home, and hopefully, he gets well soon.”

According to a statement by Chimaev’s manager, Majdi Shammas, “The persistent illness that Khamzat has been battling for major parts of training camp could not be cured in time. He has been in and out of hospitals several times.” So, will this time turn out to be different?

At the recent DWCS (Dana White’s Contender Series) post-fight press conference, the UFC head honcho was asked how the UFC 308 card is shaping up as the date draws ever closer. White responded, “Today was matchmaking day, so we were in there making some fights and beefing up some of the cards. That was literally one of the big topics today on how bad–s that card is…”

However, before he continued, the UFC boss knocked twice on the table for good luck and shared, “…hopefully it stays together. Really excited about it.” But as things stand, the anticipation for October 26 is ramping up quickly, that is, if Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway’s digs at each other are anything to go by.

In a conversation on ESPN’s MMA channel, Topuria addressed Holloway and said, ”You didn’t want to fight me; you were forced to fight me because you asked to fight with Michael Chandler, you asked to fight with Conor McChicken. You asked to fight with too many fighters because you were trying to avoid me.” But ‘Blessed’ was having none of it.

He hit back at ‘El Matador,’ saying, ”Shut up, you’re lying. This guy’s a liar… You were the first guy I asked for; I want the easiest fight; I want Ilia Topuria. That’s what I said.” Topuria, who’ll do everything possible to prevent Holloway from reclaiming the title, even said he has a room for the 32-year-old in the “home for old people” that he’s opened. Apart from being confident about putting his opponent to rest at UFC 308, the Georgian-Spanish fighter is also certain about the co-main fight’s outcome.

In a recent Q&A, a fan asked Topuria who he thinks will win in the Chimaev vs. Whittaker bout. ‘El Matador’ simply stated, “Chimaev will crush [Whittaker]. That’s what I think. I like Robert Whittaker, but he’ll crush him, for real! Khamzat is a beast.” That said, let’s come back to Dana White‘s “hope” for good fortune when it comes to this fight, as well as UFC 308 in general.

It might stem from the fact that Chimaev has faced a lot of struggles in making his way to the cage. When he was scheduled to face Leon Edwards at UFC Fight Night 183 in 2020, the bout faced ups and downs as Chimaev and Edwards both came down with COVID-19. When it was rescheduled for UFC 185, ‘Borz’ had to pull out due to still dealing with the illness, and in 2021, he even announced his retirement from the sport due to lingering breathing problems.

While he did eventually return at UFC 267, the fandom and the UFC boss are all on edge for UFC 308 based on his history. But this time around, it looks like Khamzat Chimaev has a different approach that may finally put an end to the hurdles on his way to the Octagon!

‘Borz’ reveals complete overhaul of training program for UFC 308

Khamzat Chimaev is gearing up for a battle that could determine his future at the top of the middleweight division. Back in June, he was supposed to face Robert Whittaker in Saudi Arabia, but fate had other plans. Instead of stepping into the Octagon, Chimaev found himself in a hospital bed. The cause? While no official diagnosis was shared, many believed that the Chechen warrior was simply pushing too hard, too fast.

Now, with UFC 308 on the horizon, Chimaev is taking a new approach. In an interview with Hustle Vlog on YouTube, ‘Borz’ revealed, “I used to go to the gym and just train until I was done. But, then I ended up in the hospital like the last time when I was in hospital three times in a row within three weeks. My immune system went down, I got sick. Now, I use a better approach. I work with good coaches, raised a lot of world champions … I am going to take a big step forward.”

Chimaev also revealed that he’s left Saudi Arabia and returned to the rugged, mountain-filled terrain of the Kabardino-Balkaria Republic in Russia. Training at the base of Mount Elbrus, Chimaev indicated that he has found renewed energy in the high-altitude environment and with his new team of trainers.

The new approach to training, along with the fresh energy he’s found in the mountains of Russia, has given some hope for UFC 308. But with ‘Borz’s history of setbacks, Dana White and fans alike are holding their breath. Will this be the moment Khamzat Chimaev steps into the Octagon and secures his spot among the UFC elite? Or will fate intervene once again? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!