"Come on brother you’re a good guy, don’t lie" - Khamzat Chimaev reacts to Robert Whittaker claiming he "asked for the fight" against 'Borz'

For the second time in 2024, Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev have been booked against each other. After a failed attempt at the fight targeted for UFC Saudi Arabia, Whittaker claims he asked for the UFC to re-book the matchup for UFC 308.

On an episode of The MMArcade podcast, the former UFC champion said that he desired the fight because he felt a win over Chimaev leaves "nothing in [his] way" to returning to another title fight.

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Chimaev did not agree with the claim, responding to the quote on Instagram by telling Whittaker not to "lie."

Chimaev commented:

"Come on brother you're a good guy don't lie"

Khamzat Chimaev responding to Robert Whittaker. [via @espnmma on Instagram]

Regardless of how the matchup came to be, 'The Reaper' and 'Borz' are expected to be the co-main event of UFC 308. The October pay-per-view card will be headlined by UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria making his first title defense against BMF titleholder Max Holloway.

Watch the full interview with Robert Whittaker from MMArcade Podcast on YouTube below:

Khamzat Chimaev's inconsistent UFC career

Although Khamzat Chimaev has remained undefeated through four years with the UFC, his career arc has not been what most thought he would be at this point of his tenure. After debuting in the UFC with two wins in 10 days, Chimaev quickly gained traction with fans but has seen his hype fade in recent years with just three fights since April 2022.

Since winning three times in 65 days in 2020, Chimaev has had six matchups canceled to just four fights in the Octagon. The Russian's struggles to get into the Octagon have caused him to contemplate retirement on several different occasions.

Despite losing a lot of the momentum he once had, Chimaev still claims that he is a future champion, though fans have become skeptical of his reliability.