Khamzat Chimaev displayed a masterclass performance when he fought against Kamaru Usman in UFC 294. The young fighter from Chechnya has set his mark on UFC by staying undefeated on the roster, Now setting his eyes on the middleweight title, Chimaev has given a stern warning to Sean Strickland that he will snatch the title away from him.
UFC’s top honcho, Dana White, proclaimed that the victor of the Chimaev vs. Usman bout would earn a title shot against Strickland. After the match, it was decided that Chimaev would face Strickland. However, there’s been a recent development in the situation. Let’s delve into what transpired.
Fans worry about Khamzat Chimaev’s injury
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In his match against Kamaru, Khamzat Chimaev suffered a significant injury. ‘Borz’ claimed after the fight that he felt as if he had broken his hand, and it seemed somewhat casual at the time. However, it has not been revealed yet whether he has indeed suffered a significant injury.
Majdi Shammas, Chimaev’s manager, shared with ESPN that Chimaev hasn’t suffered a broken hand, but rather a torn ligament. Over the next four weeks, he will be sporting a brace, after which the injury will be reassessed. Currently, surgical intervention does not seem to be a necessary course of action. This news was soon spread like fire and combat enthusiasts took to x(formerly Twitter) to express their opinions. Some of the comments of the fans are as follows:-
Khamzat Chimaev tore a ligament in his right hand vs Kamaru Usman at #UFC294
His manager says that he will wear a brace for the next month. It does NOT look like he will need surgery.
per @bokamotoESPN pic.twitter.com/rCPdyCS1Zp
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) October 29, 2023
One emphasized imaging round one to be like rounds two and three
Imagine if rounds 2/3 looked like round 1
— AfterSound (@AfterSoundMusic) October 29, 2023
Another asserted that his injury does not change the fact that Chimaev lost round 2 and round 3.
It still doesn’t change the fact that he lost RD2-3 and Usman should’ve got the decision
— tonio (@ANTONIOEESPARZA) October 29, 2023
Furthermore, one of the fans even stated that UFC should give Dricus Du Plessis a chance at the title shot.
they better not give him a title shot over dricus 😐
— ybpmma 🥋 (@ybpmma) October 29, 2023
Another fan asserted that he can’t wait to witness Chimaev vs. Strickland.
i need Khamzat vs Strickland ASAP
— Negan’s Burner Account (@YaWifeInMeDms) October 29, 2023
One of the fans called out Chimaev alleging that he just sprained his wrist and doesn’t require surgery.
No surgery. This shit seems like cap. Dude just sprained his wrist lol
— Al’lin Jones (@AllinJones) October 29, 2023
The fans still has hopes to witness Chimaev vs. Paulo Costa
Hopefully means him and costa can fight as soon as costa is better
— ßÏG GÆ (@gage42311359) October 30, 2023
Last but not least, One of the fans stated that his injury doesn’t justify his performance.
Still doesn’t justify his performance, how many times have we seen fighters adapt on the fly and still dominate fights?
— Ethan Carr (@EthanCarr03) October 29, 2023
Clearly, they are not amused by another injury on the UFC roster. Fans add that there is a need for surgery as well as state that Dana White should give Dricus Du Plessis a chance for the title shot if Chimaev is injured. Even Strickland believes that Chimaev is too early for the title shot.
Sean Strickland believes Chimaev is not worthy of a title shot so soon
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Sean Strickland is of the notion that Khamzat Chimaev hasn’t done anything in the middleweight division to get the title shot. Strickland states that Chimaev has only one win in the middleweight division over the past three years and to give him a title shot is completely unnecessary. However UFC seems to have other plans.
Strickland stated in an interview “He doesn’t f—ing deserve it, but here we are,” Strickland said on UFC Fight Pass. “Give it to him. He sells a lot of fights. I’ll go f—ing fight the man for five rounds. But no, he has not earned it. Getting a decision over a welterweight off the couch does not f—ing earn it.”
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Whats your opinion on Khamzat Chimaev’s title run ? Do tell us in the comments below.
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