UFC leader Dana White eyes Khamzat Chimaev vs. Colby Covington in March UK return

Khamzat Chimaev

UFC president, Dana White has confirmed the organization’s plan to return to the United Kingdom for a promotional event in March of next year – and remains receptive to the idea of booking a fight between the undefeated finisher, Khamzat Chimaev, and former interim titleholder, Colby Covington in a co-main event slot on a potential London card. 

Undefeated in 12 professional fights, Chimaev, an alum of Brave CF, featured in an impromptu catchweight co-headlining clash against Kevin Holland at UFC 279 back in September, securing a first round D’Arce choke win in a dominant submission performance.

As for Covington, the Clovis native currently occupies the #2 rank in the official welterweight pile, having most recently defeated fellow former undisputed title chaser, Jorge Masvidal with a unanimous decision victory back in their March grudge match.

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Linked with a potential middleweight division return off the back of a hectic UFC 279 fight week, Chimaev was initially scheduled to fight the promotional exiting contender, Nate Diaz in the event’s headliner, however, missed weight by a staggering seven and a half pounds – resulting in the clash’s cancellation. 

Khamzat Chimaev has been continually linked with a fight against Colby Covington

However, with the promotion expected to land their Octagon in the United Kingdom for a potential London card or a stadium show in Cardiff – topped by a welterweight title trilogy rubber match between recently minted champion, Leon Edwards, and former kingpin, Kamaru Usman – White has sights on booking Khamzat Chimaev on that card.

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Appearing during an interview with Oscar Willis from The Mac Life to preview this weekend’s massive UFC 280 pay-per-view event in Abu Dhabi, UAE – White maintained he was interested in booking Chimaev in a potential title-eliminator against Covington in the organization’s United Kingdom return in early 2023. 

In another standout victory earlier this year, Khamzat Chimaev managed to defeat one-time undisputed title chaser, Gilbert Burns with a unanimous decision win back in April at UFC 273.