UFC 312 is led by two title fights at the top of the bill when the Octagon returns to Sydney, Australia
Khamzat Chimaev has not booked a fight now, but it seems likely that he will be present this weekend in the Qudos Bank Arena.
In the main event on 8 February, middleweight champion Dric Du Plessis will defend his title against Sean Strickland in a rematch of their first meeting at UFC 297.
Just over a year after their first meeting, De Build to UFC 312 did not have the same resentment of competition, although that can still change during the Vechtweek.
One of the biggest points for the main event is all about a middleweight candidate who is not planned on the map of Saturday evening.
Many believe that Chimaev will inevitably fight for the title against Du Plessis or Strickland with Chael Sonnen who predict that we could see this sooner instead of seeing later.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Chael Sonnen predicts that Khamzat Chimaev will be the back -up hunter on UFC 312
Chael Sonnen believes that Khamzat Chimaev is ready to weigh in Sydney this weekend as a backup hunter when he is needed.
It has been reported in advance that the UFC will not have a top candidate at 185 pounds on standby in case they need it, which has been a often used process recently.
We have already lost one PPV event this year after Arman Tsarukyan was forced to withdraw from his UFC 311 Rematch with Islam Makhachev and while Renato Moicano stepped into the title fight, he was not an official backup.
In a recent YouTube video, Sonnen pointed at the location of this fight as a potential hint that the involvement of Chimaev will be much more important than having him appear in the broadcast at a certain point.
“I think Chimaev is the back -up hunter,” he said.
“I don't believe that Chimaev is only the most important competition. I do not believe that the proximity of this fight is something that you would not book Chimaev that is said to have Western travel issues. I don't think you would do that without bringing him.
“I am convinced that Chimaev will be there, I am convinced that he will be present, so why would you not put it on the scale when you fly it? I ask, I don't know that answer.”
The shadow of Khamzat Chimaev looms up over UFC 312
Even if Khamzat Chimaev is not a major presence at UFC 312, his status in the middleweight division will be certain.
Both Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland have already spoken about the idea that he is the next and the undefeated competition seemed impossible to deny after his victory over Robert Whittaker at UFC 308.
Chimaev will certainly keep a close eye on and although the two men involved in this weekend's main event will be for a tough fight, an even more discouraging task could wait for the man who comes up with his hand in Sydney .
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