Undefeated middleweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev, is going global — thanks to his shiny new passport (and friends in the right places).
In fact, he may even surface at this weekend’s UFC 312 pay-per-view (PPV) card in Sydney, according to retired UFC middleweight, Chael Sonnen, in case the promotion needs a backup fighter for the main event title fight.
“I think Chimaev’s the backup fighter,” Sonnen speculated on his YouTube channel. “I don’t believe that Chimaev is just the No. 1 contender. I don’t believe that the proximity of this fight is something that you would not book Chimaev, who allegedly has Western travel issues.”
The good news is, both Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland have beef with Chimaev.
“I don’t think you would do that without bringing him,” Sonnen continued. “I’m confident that Chimaev will be there. I’m confident he will be in attendance. So why, if you’re flying him out, would you not put him on the scale the day before? I’m asking. I don’t know that answer.”
Sonnen’s claim contradicts this recent report.
The 30 year-old Chimaev (14-0) is currently ranked No. 3 at 185 pounds and could be in line for the next title shot, though Nassourdine Imavov — now ranked No. 2 — could also make a play for the strap after defeating Israel Adesanya atop the UFC Saudi Arabia card last weekend in Riyadh.
LIVE! Watch UFC 312 PPV On ESPN+ Here!
MIDDLEWEIGHT REMATCH! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) continues its 2025 pay-per-view (PPV) schedule on Sat., Feb. 8, with a rematch between 185-pound kingpin, Dricus du Plessis, running it back against the man he lifted the belt off little more than one year ago, Sean Strickland, in the five-round main event. In UFC 312’s championship co-headliner from inside Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, women’s Strawweight roost-ruler, Zhang Weili, will defend her belt against undefeated (and oft-injured) 115-pound contender, Tatiana Suarez. UFC 312 will also feature a hard-hitting Heavyweight battle between Justin Tafa vs. Talisson Teixeira, alongside a Light Heavyweight showdown with Jimmy Crute facing Rodolfo Bellato, and so much more! UFC 312’s start time is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET (“Prelims” undercard) and 10 p.m. ET (PPV main card).
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 312 fight card right here, starting with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” bouts scheduled for 6 p.m. ET, then the remaining undercard balance on ESPN2/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET, followed by the PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.
To check out the latest and greatest UFC 312: “Du Plessis vs. Strickland 2” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. For the updated and finalized UFC 312 fight card and ESPN+ lineup click here.
