via Getty
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – APRIL 09: Khamzat Chimaev of Russia reacts after defeating Gilbert Burns of Brazil in the welterweight bout during the UFC 273 event at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on April 09, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
via Getty
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – APRIL 09: Khamzat Chimaev of Russia reacts after defeating Gilbert Burns of Brazil in the welterweight bout during the UFC 273 event at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on April 09, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
UFC 279 has been unpredictable. Khamzat Chimaev failed to make weight. However, it turns out there’s more to the story. ‘Mini Khabib’ revealed on her Instagram that the night before the weigh-ins, she met the Russian-born Swedish fighter and saw him eating. She wrote that she saw him “drinking sparkling water and (potentially ) eating“.
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Thus, she was worried about him missing weight. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what took place.
Several fans were shocked as they wanted to see him fight Nate Diaz. In fact, UFC commentator Joe Rogan even asked the fighter the possible reason behind failing to make weight. But the wrestler dodged the question.
READ MORE- Everything You Need To Know About Khamzat Chimaev
Rogan questioned, “How did you miss weight by that much?”
Chimaev replied, “They stopped that sh*t. I don’t know… Thi is Chechenya motherf***ers. Shut up, guys.”
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Post that, he even tried to take a dig at Diaz, who spoke to Rogan just before him.
The Swedish fighter also said that he did not care whom he fought, he was ready to ‘smash’. He will now face Kevin Holland at UFC 279.
While the athlete failed to make weight by a whopping seven pounds, the promotion did not fine him. Famous reporter, Kevin Iole revealed it.
Why wasn’t Khamzat Chimaev fined for not making weight?
Iole revealed that since the fighter will fight at catchweight and made weight for that, he won’t be fined.
He wrote on Twitter, “For those asking, Khamzat wasn’t fined for missing weight. He’s in a new bout at a catchweight and he made that weight. So fines for Dawodu and Barnett because they missed weight and are fighting same opponent. Khamzat is fighting a 180-pound catchweight, so no fine.”
For those asking, Khamzat wasn’t fined for missing weight. He’s in a new bout at a catchweight and he made that weight. So fines for Dawodu and Barnett because they missed weight and are fighting same opponent. Khamzat is fighting a 180-pound catchweight, so no fine. #UFC279
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) September 9, 2022
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Thus, the event has kept people on their toes. Several fans have also been annoyed by the so many changes.
Nate Diaz, who was supposed to face Chimaev, will now face Tony Ferguson instead. Both the veteran fighters have been with the promotion for a long time, but never fought. Hence, UFC 279 will be a great opportunity for fans to see two fan-favorite fighters clash.
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Who do you want to see winning amongst Diaz versus Ferguson and Chimaev versus Holland? Let us know in the comments below.
Watch this story: Rare & Unseen Videos of Khamzat Chimaev: Russian Dance, Sparring Chechen Leader & Storming Cages and More From the UFC Star
