Khamzat Chimaev Fires Back at Dana White's Criticisms: "I Don't Understand"
Chechen UFC superstar Khamzat Chimaev hit back at UFC President Dana White on May 8, releasing a statement via Twitter rebuking remarks made by White regarding his absence from the UFC.
White exclaimed that Chimaev had personal "stuff" going on which was getting in the way of his fights. He also denied responsibility on behalf of the UFC for Chimaev's inactivity and deflected blame onto Chimaev himself.
READ MORE: Dana White Scoffs at Kamaru Usman's Callout of Khamzat Chimaev for One Key Reason
"[His absence is] on him. He's got stuff going on in his personal life." White remarked during an interview with TSN on May 7.
Chimaev addressed the claims via his Twitter:
"I have no problems with fights, if they gave me a fight, I would have fought a long time ago, I did so many training camps and not one fight, the problem is definitely not with me, prepared in Dubai then to Thailand, why do I train so much if there is no fight, I don’t understand"
READ MORE: Dana White Gives Update on Khamzat Chimaev's Absence From The UFC
Chimaev released another statement on the same date, further contradicting White's claims and calling out a host of fighters ranging from welterweight to middleweight.
"I can fight with everyone I don't care who [Belal Muhammad, Kamaru Usman, Israel Adesanya, Leon Edwards, Colby Covington, Robert Whittaker]"
Belal Muhammad Replaces Khamzat Chimaev in UFC Welterweight Rankings
Following a decisive victory over Gilbert Burns at UFC 288, Belal Muhammad's welterweight ranking has been elevated to No.3, replacing Chimaev in the athlete rankings.
Muhammad was still unhappy being one spot lower than his rival Colby Covington:
Muhammad's rise in the rankings is a stark reminder that the UFC doesn't wait for fighters like Chimaev that remain inactive for too long.
Chimaev's future at welterweight lies in peril since his 7lb weight miss at UFC 279. His no. 4 ranking at welterweight may be his only leveraging tool when negotiating future matchups at middleweight and light heavyweight.
It remains yet to be seen if Chimaev can steady the ship and continue to influence his immense success in the UFC.
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