Midnight Mania: Khamzat Targeting Abu Dhabi Return … If Healthy

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Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Khamzat Chimaev’s immediate future is uncertain.

The Chechen talent was forced to withdraw from his planned UFC Saudi Arabia main event versus Robert Whittaker. He was replaced by former opponent Ikram Aliskerov, who Whittaker sparked in the very first round (watch highlights). Chimaev reacted to the bout and expressed interest in rebooking the fight versus Whittaker, but the Australian is planning to act as the back up for the UFC 305 title fight between Israel Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis. Presumably, “The Reaper” is on to bigger and better things.

So, what’s next for Khamzat? We’re still a long way off from finding out his next match up, but according to the latest report, Chimaev and his team are aiming for a return at UFC 308 on October 26 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The statement reads, “Khamzat can fight at the tournament in Abu Dhabi in October. But everything will depend on his condition.”

That last sentence feels pretty important! Khamzat has battled with health issues dating back to 2020, and at one point his struggle with COVID-19 was so severe that Chimaev was considering retirement. Since then, he’s fallen ill more than once, and the severe strain training camp puts on the body seems too much for him to handle.

If Chimaev does indeed return in October, who will he fight? Whittaker or Sean Strickland would be the most high-profile option depending on which man receives the next title shot, but “Borz” may have lost ground in the title picture with the latest withdrawal. Perhaps Paulo Costa — who Chimaev was supposed to fight last year — would be an acceptably high-profile but not quite title eliminator fight? As for Abu Dhabi, Chimaev’s preference for returning there definitely adds further credence to the rumor that he’s not allowed to fight in the United States.

We’ll have to see how it all shakes out.

Insomnia

If nothing else, Jiri Prochazka’s training partner actively throwing a lot of leg kicks is good to see. It seems like switching stances more often is Prochazka’s potential answer to that problem.

I’ll be honest, I thought Chris Gruetzemacher was cut years ago.

Sean Strickland got some sparring in with former K-1 Super Lightweight champion Rukiya Anpo.

Jared Gordon reacts to his split-decision loss to Nasrat Haqparast. I thought he won!

This came across my feed like seven different times over the weekend, so now you have to endure it too.

In case you didn’t know: Robert Whittaker is the man.

Imagine being a Combat Sambo hobbyist and having to face off with MERAB.

Slips, rips, and KO clips

Rear naked choke for the win.

Blanque shuffled side-to-side as frantically as possible, but it’s tough to escape a north-south choke once the weight is dropped.

Uppercut to the body-left hook upstairs is a great combo we don’t see often.

Random Land

Quality wrastlin’ on hard cement.

Midnight Music: Indie rock, 2016

Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.