UFC president, Dana White has confirmed that streaking welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev is currently dealing with “stuff in his personal life” amid his continued absence from the Octagon.
Chimaev, the current #3 ranked welterweight contender, has been sidelined from active competition since September of last year, co-headlining UFC 279 in a one-sided first round submission win over Kevin Holland, securing a D’Arce choke victory.
The victory came as Chimaev’s second of the year, having previously landed a competitive unanimous decision win over incoming UFC 288 co-headliner, Gilbert Burns in Jacksonville, Florida.
Khamzat Chimaev is expected to fight Paulo Costa at UFC 294 in October
Expected to make his Octagon return later this year at UFC 294 in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Chimaev’s continued absence has been questioned across the community, amid links to a fight against one-time title challenger, Paulo Costa at the middleweight limit.