A few weeks ago at UFC 294, all eyes were on the UFC middleweight division as Khamzat Chimaev took on divisional newcomer and ex-welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in the co-main event. The reason? UFC CEO Dana White had announced that the winner would get a shot at the champion, Sean Strickland. However, White has now gone back on his word.

The original co-main event for UFC 294 had Chimaev taking on his bitter (or Twitter) rival Paulo Costa. However, a serious and unfortunate staph infection on the Brazilian’s elbow foiled those plans. With Usman stepping in on short notice with more to gain than to lose, fans welcomed the bout. Add to it the title shot stakes, they were pumped. But despite ‘Borz’ winning the close contest, the UFC has now taken a different direction for the title.

Fans react to Dana White skipping Khamzat Chimaev for 185 lbs title shot

Khamzat Chimaev returned to the middleweight division after a weight miss at UFC 279 (welterweight) a year ago. Due to the short-notice replacement for UFC 294, UFC CEO Dana White stated that the winner of the Usman vs Chimaev bout would get a shot at the middleweight title next. But in a recent social media post, White stated that the UFC had now booked Dricus Du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland for the UFC 297 card in January in Canada.

Du Plessis was the frontrunner for a title shot against Adesanya since his statement win over Robert Whittaker during the international fight week. But declining to fight at UFC 293 seemed to have put him in Dana White’s bad books, until this latest announcement. While fans were backing Du Plessis’ title shot legitimacy initially, the developments at UFC 294 seem to have swayed their opinions.

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The news has induced a mix of reactions from the fans who were vocal online about the latest update. ‘Alpha Warfare’ shared a post on Instagram that received a lot of attention from MMA fans. What did they have to say?

A fan had something thought-provoking to comment on. “He beat two welterweights and isn’t getting a middleweight title shot.” 

A suggestion was made for a co-main event between Chimaev and Jared Cannonier. “DDP deserves it more and imo they should put Cannonier vs Chimaev in a 5 round co-main event at UFC 297.”

Fans also pointed out the perceived hypocrisy in granting title shots, referencing Colby Covington’s situation. “Nobody said anything when Colby is getting his 3rd Title Shot with Zero Current Ranked Wins but when it is Khamzat it’s undeserved, the hypocrisy is crazy.”

Some believe that Chimaev should face real middleweight contenders before getting a title shot. “He must fight some real middleweight first. For example Costa. That match must happen.”

“Because Bro didn’t fight any middleweight yet. Khamzat should fight Jared or Rob then he can get a title shot.”

Others highlighted the fact that Chimaev is a tough matchup for most fighters. “Feel like the only reason they aren’t giving it yet is coz they know nobody else will have a chance of winning until Khamzat retires.”

Others speculate that Chimaev will eventually get his title shot. “Borz is like death, it will come eventually. But I’d like to see what DDP & Sean can show us.”

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Fans speculate that the delay might be due to Chimaev’s hand injury from his fight with Kamaru Usman. “Maybe cuz of the hand injury he got in the Kamaru fight, I’m assuming Khamzat’s gonna need some time for that to heal?”

Speculations regarding his hand injury and the dominance of Khamzat in the division are factors that add to the conversation. But Dana White’s announcements have also led to interesting developments for next year’s UFC events, and not just in the middleweight division!

UFC’s 2024 calendar has started to take shape

The UFC’s first quarter of 2024 is shaping up with some intriguing title matchups. UFC CEO Dana White recently took to social media to announce three championship fights in the early months of 2024!

February will see UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski return to the 145-pound division to take on Ilia Topuria at UFC 298. Volkanovski aims to bounce back after his recent two losses to Islam Makhachev. His opponent, Topuria, has been on a six-fight winning streak in the UFC and wants the divisional crown for himself.

In March, bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley is set for a rematch against Marlon Vera at UFC 299. O’Malley, fresh from a knockout victory over Aljamain Sterling, faces Vera, the only fighter to have defeated him. Vera has notable wins against the likes of Rob Font and Frankie Edgar.

The UFC is yet to announce the official dates, locations, and venues for UFC 298 and UFC 299. It remains to be seen if Khamzat Chimaev will get his shot at the middleweight title later in 2024. Or if he’ll have to face more middleweight contenders to secure his claim.

Do you think Dana White should have booked Khamzat Chimaev to face Sean Strickland at UFC 297 instead? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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