Chimaev wants middleweight title shot at UFC 308

Russian MMA fighter Khamzat Chimaev has said he will most likely fight at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi this October, and he would like to compete for the middleweight belt.

“Most likely my return will happen in October in Abu Dhabi,” Chimaev said on MatchTV on Tuesday.

“The opponent is not yet known, but I would like to fight for the title.”

Chimaev is unbeaten across his seven fights in the UFC since 2020 — a fact he was quick to point out.

“I have seven fights, seven victories,” he said.

“There is no fighter in the UFC who has won seven fights without fighting for the belt.

“Dana White constantly says different things, but we are negotiating.”

Cancellations an issue for Chimaev

While Chimaev may be eager to fight for the middleweight title at UFC 308, the chances of that happening are slim.

Since his UFC debut in 2020, the Russian has been hampered by sickness and weight misses.

He was scheduled to fight Leon Edwards in 2020 and 2021, which was cancelled on three different occasions.

Fights against Nate Diaz, Paulo Costa and Robert Whittaker were also cancelled in the past two years.

Of Chimaev’s seven wins in the UFC, just two have been against ranked opponents.

More likely candidates to fight for the top spot in the division are either Sean Strickland or Whittaker, who scored big wins over Paulo Costa and Ikram Aliskerov recently.

Dricus du Plessis holds the title and is set to face Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in Perth this August.

The matchups for UFC 308 are yet to be announced, but rumour has it that Russian heavyweight Alexander Volkov will take on Ciryl Gane in the October 26 main event.

When odds come out at UFC bookmakers, betting lines will be tight. Gane should have the edge, with the Frenchman winning their first clash in 2021.

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