Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whittaker Demoted as Co-Main Event at UFC 308
The much-anticipated middleweight clash between Khamzat Chimaev and Robert Whittaker, originally set to take place on October 26 at UFC 308, has once again caused confusion among fans. The fight, which was initially planned as a co-main event, faced uncertainty after the UFC briefly replaced it with a heavyweight bout between Ciryl Gane and Alexander Volkov, causing a flurry of speculation online.
Initial Confusion and Speculation
The confusion started when the UFC posted—and quickly deleted—a tweet announcing that Gane vs. Volkov would take the co-main event spot instead of Chimaev vs. Whittaker. This unexpected change led to widespread speculation about whether the fight was still on. Fans speculated whether Chimaev’s health issues had returned, or if either fighter had requested changes to the fight format. However, the UFC later clarified that the Chimaev vs. Whittaker bout remains scheduled as the co-main event, restoring some sense of normalcy despite the brief turmoil.
Background: Rescheduled Fight with High Stakes
Chimaev and Whittaker were originally supposed to fight in June 2024 at a UFC event in Saudi Arabia, but Chimaev pulled out due to a severe illness. Whittaker instead faced Ikram Aliskerov, winning decisively in the first round. The rescheduled bout at UFC 308 has high stakes, as it’s seen as a title eliminator for the chance to face current middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis.
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The matchup we've all been waiting for 👀
How excited are you for the #UFC308 co-main event? pic.twitter.com/BqAXk2oAsJ
— UFC (@ufc) September 1, 2024
Social Media Missteps Continue to Confuse Fans
The UFC’s mishandling of the fight announcements only added to the confusion. In response to the initial uproar, the organization attempted to clarify the situation with a series of social media posts confirming the fight’s placement on the card. Yet, the conflicting messages left fans uncertain about the fight’s true status, as comments under the posts continued to question whether Chimaev vs. Whittaker was genuinely still the co-main event.
What to Expect from the Fight
Robert Whittaker has stated that he is fully prepared for Chimaev’s aggressive wrestling approach and plans to counter with his own well-rounded skill set. Whittaker, a veteran of five-round battles, remains confident despite the uncertainty surrounding the bout’s position on the fight card. As of now, the UFC has not made any further changes to the fight lineup, and both fighters are expected to meet as planned.
