To sum up, Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 was indeed ‘jaw-dropping’! The former left fans in shock with his swift submission with reports of Whittaker even suffering a jaw dislocation. Immediately, X was flooded with the video clip of ‘Borz’ dislocating ‘The Reaper’s’ jaw, and the grizzly extent of Chimaev’s deadly headlock was felt through the screen. However, we have some good news as the Aussie has an update on his injury!

Taking to Instagram he wrote,  “Thank you everyone for all the love and support. It’s a tough gig sometimes but that’s the business. Big congratulations to Khamzat, he was the better man tonight and that’s all there is to it. I felt great, everything was on point and I was ready. My jaw is good, but my teeth were moved in.”

Bobby Knuckles was pretty lighthearted with the message and further stated, “It’s a good excuse to fix them properly now haha. I’m disappointed, but I come back better from every setback and every challenge so this is no different. I want to thank my team and everyone who supported me to get here. Time to go spend time with the family for a bit. Be back soon.”

During the UFC 308 broadcast, commentator Daniel Cormier flashed a pretty graphic image of Whittaker’s injury. It showed that three of his bottom teeth had been caved in by Chimaev’s ridiculously tight squeeze with his mouth filled with blood.

Even UFC CEO Dana White was concerned for the Aussie and spoke about the injury in the post-fight press conference. “It’s not good,” he noted stating the evident danger posed by the debacle: “When your teeth are going [in different directions] it’s not good.”

However, the middleweight stalwart was in good spirits and assured his fans that he was fine and recovering well.  Even the current top dog Dricus Du Plessis sent his warm wishes to the fighter and replied to his Instagram post: “You’re an absolute warrior and someone to look up to brother. You’ll be back speedy recovery.”

The recovery time remains shrouded in mystery as according to Sports Medicine Doctor Brian Sutterer, the jaw reconstruction would not be a piece of cake. According to the expert, Whittaker might need braces on his teeth to put them back into their original place.

The injury was so brutal that even Chimaev spoke about it in the post-fight presser saying that he “felt bad” for breaking Robert Whittaker’s chin, but ultimately it is all part of the game. However, Dana White was concerned for the veteran but did not forget to give Chimaev his flowers for his dominant display.

Dana White praised Khamzat Chimaev for his outing against Robert Whittaker

In a clear case of poetic justice, Khamzat Chimaev has proven his naysayers wrong after his dominant display at UFC 308. ‘Borz’ was at his verbose best and at the zenith of his grappling abilities and his efforts were duly acknowledged by UFC head honcho Dana White. During the post-fight presser, White reflected upon the future of the middleweight division and hinted at something big for the Chechen native shortly. “I just said congratulations, great fight, and we’ll talk to you soon,” the UFC CEO informed the media about his interaction with Chimaev after the bout.

Matchmaking and potential bouts have always been an interesting topic when it comes to combat sports. A barrage of consistency and worthiness are seen as the necessary factors to reach the summit. However, this may all have changed on Saturday in Abu Dhabi. With previous speculations of a rematch between Sean Strickland and the vaunted 185lbs champion Dricus du Plessis at UFC 312 in February, prospects of Chimaev frog-leaping the outlandish American are pretty high. And with Dana White onboard, it could all become a real possibility very soon.

His 14-0 record and a complete annihilation of a former champion like Robert Whittaker warrants a title shot in the near future. For the unversed, ‘Borz’ was meant to battle for the 185lbs title after his victory against Kamaru Usman at UFC 294. However, a constant upsurge in illness and health complications forced him to drop out of the contention.

But now, the Chechen wolf is back with a scientific drive in his training regimen and has reinforced his elite status at the top of the division. Chimaev is back in business and is better than ever! Do you think he would be next in line to fight against Dricus du Plessis? Share your thoughts in the comments down below.