Khamzat Chimaev‘s journey to the UFC middleweight championship has hit a roadblock
The undefeated contender, widely believed to be the next challenger for newly crowned champion Sean Strickland following his victory over Kamaru Usman at UFC 294, will be sidelined for at least a month due to a torn ligament in his hand, as reported by UFC partner, ESPN.
Following his win against Usman (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC), a unanimous decision in Abu Dhabi just over a week ago, Chimaev (13-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) mentioned that he believed he had broken his right hand. However, his manager stated that he will wear a brace for four weeks before assessing the hand’s condition.
Strickland (28-5 MMA, 15-5 UFC) caused a major upset when he convincingly outperformed Israel Adesanya to claim the title at UFC 293 in September. After Chimaev’s victory over Usman, Strickland voiced his disapproval, stating that he didn’t believe Chimaev had done enough to earn a title shot, especially considering he was facing a debutant in the weight class on short notice.
Now, regardless of Strickland’s opinion on Chimaev’s worthiness as an opponent, he will have to wait an additional month for his return if Chimaev does indeed become his next challenger.
Chimaev’s triumph over Usman marked his first middleweight win in over three years. Following that, he secured two victories in the welterweight division and another at a 180-pound catchweight, where he exceeded the 170-pound limit at UFC 279, resulting in a change of opponent and a move from the main event to the co-feature. He then defeated Kevin Holland.
Despite the ligament tear setback, Chimaev should have no issues competing at 185 pounds. However, the longer Strickland has to wait, the more likely it becomes that the name Dricus Du Plessis will be mentioned as a potential challenger.
The UFC has not provided any updates on Chimaev’s injury, his return timeline, or any alternate plans involving Strickland.
Sarah Foster is your guide to the world of Mixed Martial Arts. With a deep understanding of MMA’s intricacies and a passion for the sport, she offers comprehensive coverage of MMA events, fighter profiles, and in-depth analysis of fights. Sarah’s commitment to the octagon ensures that readers stay engaged with the latest developments in the MMA world.
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