Chael Sonnen believes Khamzat Chimaev will serve as the backup fighter for UFC 312.
Dricus Du Plessis (22-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) defends his middleweight title against Sean Strickland (29-6 MMA, 16-6 UFC) in a rematch, which headlines Saturday’s event at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney. The main card streams on ESPN+ pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and ESPN+.
With UFC 311 losing its main event just one day prior, Sonnen doubts the promotion would risk another title-fight headliner being jeopardized. Islam Makhachev was scheduled to defend his lightweight title against Arman Tsarukyan last month, but Tsarukyan pulled out after weigh-ins, leaving Makhachev to face Renato Moicano instead.
UFC 312 does not feature any middleweight matchups outside of the main event.
“I think Chimaev’s the backup fighter,” Sonnen said 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.
“I don’t think you would do that without bringing him. 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.”
Chimaev, who steamrolled former champion Robert Whittaker for a first-round submission at UFC 308, recently obtained a United Arab Emirates passport.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 312.
