UFC welterweight/middleweight Khamzat Chimaev made good on all his promise last time out, clubbing and subbing Li Jingliang at UFC 267 in October. That fight earned a Performance of the Night award and marked his return to action after almost a year on the sidelines.
After wowing audiences, and UFC President Dana White, with three quick wins in the Octagon in 2020, the Chechen-born Swede was struck with a nasty bout of COVID-19. That virus scuppered plans for Chimaev to face Leon Edwards. The extreme symptoms he suffered, including coughing up blood, also had Chimaev considering retirement.