Overview
Main event change
In a stunning turn of events, the highly anticipated UFC Saudi Arabia card has undergone a major shake-up just days before the event. This comes right after the UFC 303 debacle, where Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler was cancelled due to Conor’s injury. On the same card, Jamahal Hill pulled out, again due to injury, leading Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazska to step in for the main event match.
Originally slated to feature a middleweight showdown between Khamzat Chimaev and former Interim champion Robert Whittaker, the main event has been dramatically altered due to Chimaev’s sudden withdrawal due to a serious illness. According to sources close to the situation, Chimaev has been hospitalized and is currently “violently, violently ill,” as UFC President Dana White confirmed.
This unfortunate turn of events has left the promotion scrambling to find a suitable replacement for the undefeated Chechen fighter, and they’ve turned to another rising star to step in on short notice.
Stepping up to the challenge is the highly touted Russian prospect Ikram Aliskerov, who will now face off against Whittaker in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia on June 22. Aliskerov, who boasts an impressive 15-1 record, is coming off back-to-back first-round knockout victories in his first two UFC appearances.
Khamzat Chimaev’s condition
As for Chimaev, his manager, Majdi Shammas, released a statement addressing the situation.
“It’s with a heavy heart that we announce Khamzat Chimaev has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled fight against #3 ranked Robert Whittaker on June 22nd in Riyadh.Khamzat has been battling a persistent illness throughout his training camp, and despite our best efforts, we couldn’t find a cure in time. He’s been in and out of hospitals, and the situation has been kept within the team as we were all committed to finding a solution. Unfortunately, it has now come to a point where we’ve mutually agreed that it’s not possible to move forward. Stepping into the cage unprepared against a formidable opponent like Robert is simply impossible…”
UFC Saudi Arabia new card
The news of Chimaev’s withdrawal and Aliskerov’s insertion into the main event was first reported by MMA Fighting, which also provided additional details on the other bouts scheduled for the card. The co-main event will feature a heavyweight clash between Sergei Pavlovich and Alexander Volkov, while Kelvin Gastelum will take on Daniel Rodriguez in a welterweight matchup.
Other notable fights on the card include Melsik Baghdasaryan vs. Muhammad Naimov in a featherweight bout, Volkan Oezdemir vs. Johnny Walker in a light heavyweight showdown, and Joilton Lutterbach vs. Shara Magomedov in a bantamweight contest
Main Card
Main Event:
– Ikram Aliskerov vs. Robert Whittaker (Middleweight Bout)
Co-Main Event:
– Sergei Pavlovich vs. Alexander Volkov (Heavyweight Bout)
Main Card Highlights
– Johnny Walker vs. Volkan Oezdemir (Light Heavyweight Bout)
– Kelvin Gastelum vs. Daniel Rodriguez (Middleweight Bout)
– Muhammad Naimov vs. Melsik Baghdasaryan (Lightweight Bout)
Preliminary Card
-Shara Magomedov vs. Joilton Lutterbach (Middleweight Bout)
– Nasrat Haqparast vs. Jared Gordon (Lightweight Bout)
– Rinat Fakhretdinov vs. Nicolas Dalby (Welterweight Bout)
– Kyung Ho Kang vs. Muin Gafurov (Bantamweight Bout)
– Magomed Gadzhiyasulov vs. Long Brendson Ribeiro (Light Heavyweight Bout)
– Abu Azaitar vs. Denis Tiuliulin (Middleweight Bout)
– Xiao Long vs. ChangHo Lee (Bantamweight Bout)
Date and Time
USA
- Date: June 22, 2024
- Time: Main card starts at 3 p.m ET / 12 p.m PT, preliminary bouts begin at 12 p.m ET/ 9 a.m PT
- Channel: ESPN2 and ESPN+
India
- Date: June 22, 2024
- Time: Main card starts at 9 AM IST
- Channel: Sony Sports Network
Despite the setback, the UFC has managed to salvage the main event and put together an exciting card for the promotion’s debut in Saudi Arabia. With Aliskerov stepping in to face Whittaker on short notice, fans can still look forward to an action-packed night.With such a stacked card, UFC Saudi Arabia promises to be a night of high-stakes action and thrilling fights. Tune in on June 22, 2024, to witness these warriors leave it all in the octagon.
” My game is going, ‘Kill, take his heart.’ Nothing more…I’m a warrior, I come here, kill everyone.” ~ Khamzat Chimaev
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