In a disappointing turn of events, rising UFC star Khamzat Chimaev has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled fight against Robert Whittaker in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia on June 22 in Riyadh. The news was announced on Thursday, leaving fans and the UFC community disappointed.

Chimaev's manager, Majdi Shammas, took to Instagram to provide an explanation for Chimaev's withdrawal. He revealed that Chimaev has been battling a persistent illness throughout his training camp, which unfortunately could not be cured in time for the fight. Chimaev has been in and out of hospitals several times, highlighting the seriousness of his condition.

The decision to withdraw from the fight was a difficult one for Chimaev and his team, as they recognized that stepping into the cage against a formidable opponent like Whittaker without being properly prepared would be impossible. The team explored all available options, but ultimately concluded that continuing under these circumstances would not be feasible.

This setback is particularly devastating for Chimaev, his coaches, training partners, and the rest of his team. Headlining UFC's first-ever visit to Saudi Arabia was a great honor for them, and they were eagerly looking forward to the fight. Despite the circumstances being beyond their control, they sincerely apologized to the UFC, Dana White, Mick Maynard, Sean Shelby, Hunter Campbell, His Highness Mr. Turki Alalshik, Robert Whittaker, his team, and most importantly, the fans who were eagerly anticipating the bout.

Chimaev's previous battles with illness have been well-documented. After bursting onto the UFC scene in 2020 with three impressive wins in just two months, Chimaev was sidelined for a year due to COVID-19 and the lingering effects of the illness. This forced him to withdraw from two planned bouts against Leon Edwards. It remains unclear if his current illness is related to COVID-19 or if it is a separate medical issue.

With Chimaev out, his past opponent, Ikram Aliskerov, has stepped in to face Whittaker in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia next Saturday. Aliskerov will have the opportunity to showcase his skills against the former champion, while Chimaev focuses on getting to the bottom of his health issues and making a strong comeback.

Although this is undoubtedly a setback for Chimaev, his team, and fans, they remain determined and committed to his goals. As soon as Chimaev recovers and regains his health, his much-anticipated return to the Octagon will be rescheduled.

In the meantime, the UFC Saudi Arabia event will still take place, with Whittaker now set to face Aliskerov in what promises to be an intriguing main event. Fans will be eagerly watching to see how this match unfolds and wishing for Chimaev's swift recovery.