Promotional boss, Dana White has dropped the biggest hint surrounding a potential title fight for the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev — claiming it would be “fun” to see the Chechen feature at UFC 317 during International Fight Week at the end of June.
Chimaev, who has been sidelined since October of last year, most recently made incredibly short-work of former middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker.
And earning himself a title fight as per White via his display, the unbeaten finisher submitted Auckland-born favorite, Whittaker with a nasty opening round face crank win in their reworked UFC 308 co-headliner.
Khamzat Chimaev linked with UFC 317 title fight return
Long-rumored to feature in a title offing in his return to action, Chimaev has also been linked with a return to fight in the United States for the first time since he took co-main event honors at UFC 279.
And tonight, speaking following UFC 314 in Miami, Florida, White told assembled media that it would be “fun” to see Chimaev return in a title fight against the incumbent, Dricus du Plessis as soon as International Fight Week.
“That would be fun,” White told of a potential Khamzat Chimaev championship pairing at UFC 317. “Tuesday.”
Dana White is asked if the Khamzat Chimaev could headline #UFC317 during International Fight Week
“That would be fun.”
@ufc #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/WZTfHR5FkU
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 13, 2025
Himself racking up his second successful defense of the middleweight crown back in February, South African star, du Plessis made lightwork of former titleholder, Sean Strickland in their rematch clash ‘Downunder’, handily out-pointing the counter striker with a unanimous decision effort over the course of five rounds.
