Khamzat Chimaev has been in a problematic situation as of late. The undefeated fighter has been going through some serious health conditions with an injury. However, Dana White or the UFC has not acknowledged that yet. MMA legend Chael Sonnen believes that it has something to do with the plans that the promotion has for former champion Israel Adesanya.

‘Borz’ registered his seventh UFC win in a row at UFC 294 against Kamaru Usman. However, he has not yet found himself in the talks for a title shot. Chael Sonnen discussed Khamzat Chimaev’s situation and mentioned the UFC’s tactics regarding the Emirati fighter. Let’s see what he had to say.

Chael Sonnen talks about the UFC’s handling of the current situation of Khamzat Chimaev

Before UFC 294, it was touted that the winner of the Khamzat Chimaev and Kamaru Usman fight would find themselves in title contention. However, Chael Sonnen pointed out that the UFC has not even brought ‘Borz’s name into the discussion for a title fight. He said, “He’s [Chimaev] the number one contender [and] he’s not even being discussed for a title shot.”

Furthermore, he also pointed out how Dana White and the UFC are yet to acknowledge Khamzat Chimaev’s injury status and the fact that he will be undergoing surgery for it. Instead, they announced Dricus du Plessis as the contender for Sean Strickland‘s middleweight title.

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“They didn’t even announce his injury, they didn’t even announce that he wasn’t feeling well, they didn’t even announce that he was going into surgery, they didn’t do anything. They just brought in [Dricus] du Plessis and move right on,” Chael Sonnen added. ‘The American Gangster’ believes that Khamzat Chimaev getting snubbed from the title picture could be due to a former champion’s impending return. Let’s have a closer look at that front.

Israel Adesanya could be the reason for the UFC’s silence on ‘Borz’s status

Chael Sonnen spoke about what would happen when Khamzat Chimaev returns from his injury. He believes that ‘Borz’ may not be able to get back to the position he was in before getting injured. Instead, things could take a dramatic turn. Sonnen further stated, “When that hand heals, it’s not as though the hand heals and he to where he left off at, which is a number one contender. It’s not like that.” He ideated that Chimaev’s situation has to do with Israel Adesanya’s return.

‘The Last Stylebender’ recently announced that he would be returning sooner than his earlier timeline of 2027 following his upset loss at UFC 293. As such, Chael Sonnen claimed that Khamzat Chimaev’s title shot may be delayed due to the UFC’s current plans for Adesanya to take on the middleweight champion post-UFC 297 when he makes his return. “There can’t be [any discussion about Chimaev’s title shot] because the current plan is to bring Izzy back and have him take on whoever the champion is,” ‘The American Gangster’ added.

The primary concern for Khamzat Chimaev right now is to get healthier as fast as he can. But it remains to be seen where his position in the middleweight division will be. Will Chimaev fight for the title or will he have to take on another contender to get into title contention? We will have to wait and see in the weeks and months to come.