The Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whittaker saga is over AGAIN? The clash between the former champion and the championship hopeful was initially supposed to ensue at the UFC’s inaugural event in Saudi Arabia on June 22, but a “violent” illness caught the undefeated ‘Emriti’ off-guard. The promotion rebooked them for an UFC 308 card on October 26, despite doubts about Chimaev’s attendance. Safe to say, fears might have come true.

The rumor stems from a tweet from UFC’s official X handle where they announced Alexan͏der Volk͏o͏v an͏d͏ Ciryl G͏a͏ne would be headlining the co-main event instead of Ch͏imaev an͏d W͏hittak͏er. The tweet read, “Drago has been on a TEAR since this moment … @AlexDrogoVolkov is taking on Cyril Gane in the #UFC308 co-main event!” The promotion soon backtracked on the claim but couldn’t escape eagle-eyed fans!

As per earlier updates, the grand event will also feature Max Holloway and Ilia Topuria, but what about the fight everyone’s actually waiting for?

Well, nobody’s sure yet as the promotion quickly deleted the tweet. Instead, they shared another update showcasing a photo of Chimaev and Whittaker with the caption: “The Matchup we’ve all been waiting for.” The Chimaev-Whittaker fight is supposed determ͏ine t͏he fa͏te of t͏͏he midd͏lewe͏ight s͏͏tars͏ as a vict͏ory͏ ͏would certainly secure a title shot against the 185͏-pou͏nd͏ champio͏n Dricus Du Plessis.͏ Then is it merely a marketing tactic to hype up the crowd? Well, if not, this would be the Russian wrestler’s seventh withdrawal of his career.

It’s hard to believe that Chimaev, who once set a record for the fastest three fight winning streak in modern UFC history (66 days), has been so eerily absent. His last fight was against Kamaru Usman in October 2023, which he won by majority decision. Some say this was a long time coming. Did you know he even announced his official retirement once?

His debacle with appearances date back to late-2020 when he contracted COVID-19. After his UFC Fight Night 183 bout against Leon Edwards was cancelled thrice due to his diagnosis, the fighter announced he was retiring owing to COVID-related lung complications. Dana White later came out to dismiss the statement. Things seemed to fall back into place after that. At least for a while, but the debacle surrounding the Whittaker fight has everyone on their toes.

One fan hilariously summed up what everyone was thinking of by writing, “Chimaev looking to break the record for most pull outs”. White has a delicate situation in his hand, it seems.

All we can tell you is as per this very moment, the fight will be happening. If it doesn’t, Whittaker will have a heartbreak to nurse!

Robert Whittaker as elaborate tactic to defeat Chimaev

Khamzat Chimaev’s wrestling is one of the most devious techniques in the whole MMA. Many fighters have tried their best to perform against ‘Borz’ but they failed to even dent him. Will that change when he meets Whittaker? For the unversed, the Aussie has been in the promotion since 2012, as opposed to Chimaev who burst into the scene in mid-2020. However, stats wise, the Russian has had a squeaky clean 130-0-0 record over his opponent’s 27-7-0.

Looks like it’s Whittaker who’ll need some hard-earned luck and blows in October. But worry not! ‘The Reaper’ has an elaborate a game plan to counter Chimaev’s wrestling.

While having a conversation with the ‘Submission Radio,” Whittaker ascertained, “You know, you got to worry about how hard he’s going to push the wrestling envelope in the first few rounds. And then what I’m going to do after that, after I stop the takedowns, after I get back up or whatever, and just taking the fight to him. You know, everyone can see how this fight’s going to play out. Everyone can make a rough plan on how to approach it. So what you’re thinking is probably what I’m doing.”

The Aussie is confident about his victory as he is currently riding a two-fight winning streak. Regardless, whats your take on their fight? State your thoughts  in the comments below.