Khamzat Chimaev is not joining the UFC 300 card after refusing to be on the card due to Ramadan. Despite this, the fighter intends to come back by summer when the promotion holds an event in Saudi Arabia.
Recently, UFC CEO Dana White announced that the Alex Pereira vs. Jamahal Hill fight would headline the UFC 300 on April 13. It was a bit of a surprise after earlier reports claimed that Leon Edwards would be defending the welterweight belt against Islam Makhachev, Chimaev, and Shavkat Rakhmonov. Chimaev was reportedly the “top choice” for the match. Yet, in the end, the promotion decided to proceed with the Pereira-Hill bout.
The decision, nonetheless, might be unsurprising for some, especially since “Borz” earlier shared that he doesn’t have plans on fighting during Ramadan. The fighter reiterated the choice, further revealing that part of that is the lack of time preparing for the welterweight offer.
“They wanted me to fight at (UFC) 300, but I said it’s too short time for (170 pounds),” Chimaev said in his FCR MMA interview. “I need a bit of time. (The Edwards fight) wasn’t 100 percent sure, but my manager said maybe, maybe not. My brother said to me, ‘Not in Ramadan.’ After Ramadan, we’ll take some time, camp, and then we’ll fight anyone.”
Despite that, the Russian fighter assured fans that he’ll be returning this year. In particular, Chimaev is eyeing to join the UFC Saudi Arabia card, albeit he still has no names to share. Yet, the fighter is hopeful.
“In the summer, I think – in the summer, we’ll be back,” Chimaev shared. “I want to fight in Saudi Arabia, but I don’t think anybody wants to fight me there. We’ll see what’s going to happen, so (I’m) just waiting for something.”
