In a surprising turn of events, Khamzat Chimaev has been forced to withdraw from his highly anticipated match against Robert Whittaker at UFC on ABC 6. The undefeated fighter, with a record of 13-0 in MMA and 7-0 in the UFC, was forced out of the headliner event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, due to illness.

Chimaev, who was hospitalized as a result of his illness, recently broke his silence on social media, expressing his disappointment. Despite his frustrating run in the past two years, where he has only fought once, Chimaev's manager, Majdi Shammas, denied any retirement rumors.

Shammas told MMA Junkie, "It's absolutely not true. We're planning on getting to the bottom of this situation, the problems. He will be back." The team is determined to understand the cause of Chimaev's illness and work towards his healthy return to the octagon.

The 30-year-old fighter's last appearance was a notable majority decision victory over former champion Kamaru Usman in October at UFC 294. His upcoming fight against Whittaker was considered a highly significant bout, with the winner potentially being deemed the No. 1 contender.

Replacing Chimaev in the event will be rising middleweight contender Ikram Aliskerov, who boasts a record of 15-1 in MMA and 2-0 in the UFC. Aliskerov's inclusion will undoubtedly add excitement to the fight card.

UFC on ABC 6 is set to take place at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event promises to be a thrilling showcase of mixed martial arts talent. Fans can stay updated with the latest information on the event by visiting MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC on ABC 6.

As Chimaev recovers from his setback, many fans and fellow fighters are sending their well wishes and expressing support for his eventual return to the octagon. Despite the disappointment, Chimaev remains determined to overcome his health issues and resume his promising career.

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