‘Allah Has His Own Plans’

Khamzat Chimaev is no longer fighting Robert Whittaker in the UFC Saudi Arabia main event this weekend in Riyadh. “Borz” was replaced by fast-rising middleweight phenom Ikram Aliskerov and does not yet have a timeline for his Octagon return.

So what happened?

Chimaev, 30, is suffering from a “persistent illness” that for now, remains a BIG SECRET for reasons not quite understood. Manager Majdi Shammas told MMA Junkie that retirement rumors are “absolutely not true,” insisting “Borz” will be back … eventually.

“We always plan something but Allah has his own plans for us!” Chimaev wrote on Instagram in his first statement since withdrawing from UFC Saudi Arabia. “Alhamdulilah.”

Chimaev (13-0) has only competed twice over the last two years and was last seen capturing a majority decision victory over former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman as part of the UFC 294 pay-per-view (PPV) card in Oct. 2023.

One fan on social media put it best: Don’t be another “What if.”