Mahdi Shammas, manager of undefeated UAE middleweight Hamzat Chimaev, revealed why his client was forced to withdraw from his fight against Robert Whittaker, which was scheduled to take place at UFC on ABC 6 in Saudi Arabia on June 22.
"The persistent illness that Hamzat has been battling for most of his training camp was not treated in a timely manner. He was hospitalized and discharged from hospitals several times. Hamzat's condition remained a secret from the team as everyone was determined to find a solution.
Although all possible options had been carefully considered, the moment had now come when the team came to a mutual agreement that this could not go on. Unfortunately, it is impossible to enter the octagon without proper preparation against such a formidable opponent like Robert," Shammas wrote on Instagram.
Recall that Ikram Aliskerov will replace Chimaev.
