UFC president Dana White confirmed the swap on Thursday

The UFC’s inaugural event in Saudi Arabia has undergone a significant shake-up as the highly anticipated return of Khamzat Chimaev will be delayed due to illness.

UFC President Dana White announced on Thursday that Chimaev, who was scheduled to headline the event on June 22 against former champion Robert Whittaker, has been withdrawn after falling “violently ill.” 

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The UFC’s inaugural event in Saudi Arabia has undergone a significant shake-up as the highly anticipated return of Khamzat Chimaev will be delayed due to illness.

UFC President Dana White announced on Thursday that Chimaev, who was scheduled to headline the event on June 22 against former champion Robert Whittaker, has been withdrawn after falling “violently ill.”

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Ikram Aliskerov set to face Robert Whittaker

Chimaev’s withdrawal has led to a reshuffling of the fight card, with Dagestani fighter Ikram Aliskerov stepping up to replace him.

Aliskerov, who boasts a record of 15-1 in MMA and is undefeated in his two UFC fights, was originally set to face Antonio Trocoli in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night at the UFC Apex.

The change propels Aliskerov into the spotlight, offering him a major opportunity against Whittaker, the former 185-pound champion.

This unexpected development comes at a time of considerable upheaval within the UFC.

The organization is already contending with uncertainty surrounding the main event of UFC 303 on June 29, where Conor McGregor’s return fight against Michael Chandler remains in doubt.

Chimaev’s removal adds another layer of complexity to the promotion’s efforts to deliver a star-studded series of events.

Aliskerov, who has only been defeated by Chimaev in his MMA career, now faces a dramatic increase in competition level.

His previous UFC outings saw him dispatch opponents Warlley Alves and Phil Hawes with swift knockouts, establishing himself as a formidable contender.

The bout against Whittaker marks Aliskerov’s biggest challenge yet and a chance to catapult himself into the middleweight title conversation.

Chimaev’s troubles off the octagon continue

For Chimaev, this is another setback in a career that has seen rapid ascension since his 2020 debut but has been marred by availability issues.

The undefeated fighter, whose last victory was a decision win over former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in October, has struggled with health and visa complications.

His coach previously cited his Chechen nationality and Russian passport as barriers to competing in the United States, pushing the UFC to seek international venues for his fights.

The Saudi Arabia event was seen as an ideal platform for Chimaev’s return, potentially positioning him for a middleweight title shot.

However, his current illness has paused those plans indefinitely.

White has expressed his wishes for Chimaev’s speedy recovery and a prompt return to the octagon.