UFC 308 Ultimate Guide: Khamzat Chimaev’s cold-blooded promise to Robert Whittaker
Khamzat Chimaev is one of the scariest fighters in the UFC, and he’s promised Australian fight fans that they’re about to see why – but only after he narrowly made weight. Full details of his fight with Robert Whittaker, and the weigh-in near-drama, inside.
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Khamzat Chimaev narrowly avoided missing weight, stepping on the scales at 186 pounds and with just 13 minutes to spare.
Chimaev was the last fighter to make weight, and gave a sheepish apology for making everyone wait.
The Chechen wrestler has a history of health issues and weight cutting woes, and there were growing fears in Abu Dhabi about his ability to hit the 186-pound mark and make the fight official.
UFC 308: TOPURIA VS HOLLOWAY plus Australia’s Rob Whittaker taking on undefeated Khamzat Chimaev | SUN 27 OCT 5AM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Earlier, Whittaker looked fresh as he weighed in at 185.5 pounds, and was eating and rehydrating by the time Chimaev weighed in nearly 90 minutes later.
186 for Khamzat, who steps on the scales with just 13 minutes left and an apology for making everyone wait.
— Brendan Bradford (@1bbradfo) October 25, 2024
The fight is on. #UFC308pic.twitter.com/uL6CJBOYDV
Chimaev missing weight would have been a disaster.
As one of the highest paid fighters on the card, there would have been discussions about fighting Whittaker at a catchweight, or of looking for a late notice replacement.
Fifth ranked middleweight Caio Borralho is in Abu Dhabi, and could have been drafted in, but thankfully discussions didn’t make it that far.
Meanwhile, featherweight champion Ilia Topuria was the first on the scales, weighing in at 145 even at 10am.
His opponent Max Holloway tipped the scales at 145-pounds 15 minutes later, making the main event official.
THE BOOGEYMAN’S PROMISE
Chimaev says he’ll put a beating on Robert Whittaker this weekend, then travel Down Under to celebrate his win in the Aussie’s home town.
Chimaev wore a devilish grin as he revealed his cold-blooded plans to this masthead just days out from his long-awaited scrap with Whittaker at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi.
Born in Chechnya and now based in the UAE, Chimaev wants to make Whittaker pay for saying isn’t allowed to leave the country.
UFC 308: TOPURIA VS HOLLOWAY plus Australia’s Rob Whittaker taking on undefeated Khamzat Chimaev | SUN 27 OCT 5AM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Once one of the brightest prospects in the UFC, Chimaev hasn’t been able to fight in America since 2022 due to Visa issues.
Dubbed ‘The Boogeyman’ by Whittaker, Chimaev has a speaking and training tour scheduled for Australia in December.
And he says he’d love nothing more than to put an exclamation mark on a fight build-up that has had a fair bit of back-and-forth.
“I’m coming to meet my fans in Australia and to see the country,” he told this masthead. “Robert said I couldn’t be anywhere outside my country, but I’ve gone to England, the US, France, Russia, Arab countries.
“All over.
“Now I’m going to his country. His home.”
With a visible scar on his top lip, Khamzat stares down his opponents with a menacing grin on his face and an attitude that suggests he loves nothing more than punching on.
Since moving his training camp to Abu Dhabi, Chimaev has become a massive star in the region.
That was on display at Thursday night’s press conference.
While Whittaker received a warm welcome, it was clear Chimaev was the local crowd’s favourite.
At one point, the Chechen wrestler threatened to have an Aussie reporter removed from the venue, and promised Sunday morning was going to be a tough one for Australian fans.
“He’s a nice guy, a great champ,” he said of Whittaker. “He’s going for his family, I’m going for my family.
“It will be a good war.
“He strikes good, but he hasn’t fought anyone like me.
“He hasn’t fought Khamzat Chimaev, and that’s the difference.”
Asked what exactly makes him different from Israel Adesanya, Dricus du Plessis, Yoel Romero and Paulo Costa, he deadpans: “They’re not Khamzat. I am,” before putting on a disconcertingly warm smile and walking away.
What time is UFC 308 in Australia?
UFC 308 is on at a different time to most pay-per-views, meaning we’ve got a much earlier start.
The prelims start at (AEDT) 1am, and the pay-per-view main card gets underway at 5am.
What time is Robert Whittaker fighting Khamzat Chiamev?
Expect Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev to be fighting from roughly 7:45am onwards.
How to watch UFC 308 in Australia
You can watch UFC 308 on Main Event and Kayo Sport PPV. Order it right here.
UFC 308 card
Featherweight – Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway
Middleweight – Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev
Featherweight – Lerone Murphy vs. Dan Ige
Light Heavyweight – Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakić
Middleweight – Sharabutdin Magomedov vs. Armen Petrosyan
Preliminary card
Light Heavyweight – Ibo Aslan vs. Raffael Cerqueira
Welterweight – Geoff Neal vs. Rafael dos Anjos
Lightweight – Mateusz Rębecki vs. Myktybek Orolbai
Middleweight – Abusupiyan Magomedov vs. Brunno Ferreira
Heavyweight – Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Chris Barnett
Bantamweight – Farid Basharat vs. Victor Hugo
Middleweight – Ismail Naurdiev vs. Bruno Silva
Welterweight – Rinat Fakhretdinov vs. Carlos Leal
More Coverage
Originally published as UFC 308 Ultimate Guide: Khamzat Chimaev’s cold-blooded promise to Robert Whittaker
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