It seems that Khamzat Chimaev may not have desired the kind of fast change that he claimed on UFC 319.
Chimaev finally realized his title ambitions in MMA's largest stage during this month's pay-per-view event in Chicago, where a new era in the middleweight started.
In the Main Event of UFC 319, Chimaev Dricaev Du Plessis dominated to give the South African his first loss in the promotion and to end his reign after two successful defenses.
This has started a new rule with 185 pounds, and a rule that was branded in advance for the sport. That came from ex-hunter Din Thomas, who was worried about the activity of the Chechen star as champion.
Chimaev answered those worries with a return plan, outlined his wish to catch the gold and defend it only two months later in Abu Dhabi. But now 'Borz' is said to say something else.
Reinier de Ridder's manager says that Khamzat Chimaev is not going to fight again in 2025
Talk about the newly crowned middleweight King that turns around to defend his belt for the first time on UFC 321 in October, picked it up after UFC 319 when the return plan of Dana White Green-Lit Chimaev.
While Chimaev called the Headliner of UFC Paris a title -Eliminator, the favorite seemed to challenge him in October Reinier de Ridder, who set up his claim by beating Robert Whittaker in July.
The manager of the Dutchman confirmed the same amount during a recent appearance on the Submissieradio, but claimed that the potential matchup dropped when Chimaev said that he would not be back until 2026.
“I spoke with the UFC,” said Ali Abdelaziz. “If Khamzat fought in October, the Reinier de Ridder would have been fought with Khamzat.
“But Khamzat said, you know, he will fight next year.
'They offered' fluffy '. De Ridder said: 'You know what, I'm not going to wait? “… He takes this fight and now he is going to fight a very heavy fight,” Abdelaziz added.
De Ridder will be confronted instead with colleague high -ranked competitor Anthony Hernandez in the main event of UFC Vancouver on October 18.
Ali Abdelaziz Slegs Close Talk of Khamzat Chimaev vs Islam Makhachev Super Fight
During the same interview, Abdelaziz spoke about talking about a collision between Chimaev and another of his customers.
With Makhachev to Welterweight and Chimaev, a return to 170 pounds in his pursuit of collecting three division titles, discourse around a possible super fight between the two originated.
Makhachev spoke to the Chimaev fight during a recent press conference and refused to conduct such a discussion. However, his manager gave a more strict view of whether the fight could flourish.
“This fight will never happen,” said Abdelaziz. “First of all, Khamzat is too big. I don't think he can ever make good weight.
“And in a sense, like these guys, they know each other. I don't think they come from the same region.
“And to be honest, these fights make absolutely no sense,” Abdelaziz continued.
“I think if Khamzat goes up and wants to fight a slightly heavyweight, it might be more logical.”