It appears that evidently Khamzat Chimaev may not have desired the type of quick turnaround he claimed to at UFC 319.
Chimaev finally realized his title ambitions on MMA’s biggest stage at this month’s pay-per-view event in Chicago, where a brand new era at middleweight got underway.
Within the UFC 319 important event, Chimaev dominated Dricus du Plessis at hand the South African his first loss within the promotion and end his reign after two successful defenses.
With that, a brand new rule has begun at 185 kilos, and one which was branded a “disaster” for the game ahead of time. That got here from ex-fighter Din Thomas, who fearful in regards to the Chechen star’s activity as a champion.
Chimaev answered those worries with a return plan, outlining his desire to capture the gold and defend it just two months later in Abu Dhabi. Now, though, ‘Borz’ is allegedly saying something different.
Reinier de Ridder’s manager says Khamzat Chimaev doesn’t plan to fight again in 2025
Talk of the newly crowned middleweight king turning around to defend his belt for the primary time at UFC 321 in October picked up after UFC 319 when Dana White green-lit Chimaev’s return plan.
While Chimaev called UFC Paris’ headliner a title eliminator, the favourite to challenge him in October seemed to be Reinier de Ridder, who staked his claim by beating Robert Whittaker in July.
The Dutchman’s manager confirmed as much during a recent appearance on Submission Radio but claimed the potential matchup fell through when Chimaev said he wouldn’t be back until 2026.
“I talked to the UFC,” Ali Abdelaziz said. “If Khamzat would have fought in October, it might have been Reinier de Ridder fighting Khamzat.
“But Khamzat said, you understand, he’s gonna fight next 12 months.
“They offered ‘Fluffy’. De Ridder said, ‘You realize what, I’m not gonna wait?’ … He takes this fight and now he’s gonna fight a really tough fight,” Abdelaziz added.
De Ridder will as a substitute face fellow highly ranked contender Anthony Hernandez within the important event of UFC Vancouver on October 18.
Ali Abdelaziz shuts down talk of Khamzat Chimaev vs Islam Makhachev super fight
Throughout the same interview, Abdelaziz addressed talk of a clash between Chimaev and one other of his clients.
With Makhachev moving as much as welterweight and Chimaev teasing a return to 170 kilos in his pursuit of collecting three divisional titles, discourse surrounding a possible super fight between those two has emerged.
Makhachev addressed the Chimaev fight during a recent press conference, refusing to be drawn into such discussion. His manager, though, provided a more stern tackle whether the fight could come to fruition.
“This fight won’t ever occur,” Abdelaziz said. “Initially, Khamzat is just too big. I don’t think he can ever make welterweight.
“And in a way, like these guys, they know one another. I don’t think, they’re from the identical region.
“And truthfully, these fights make absolutely no sense,” Abdelaziz continued.
“I believe if Khamzat go up and wanna fight a lightweight heavyweight, perhaps it makes more sense.”