Khamzat Chimaev has withdrawn from his highly anticipated fight against Robert Whittaker at UFC Saudi Arabia due to an undisclosed illness, marking yet another setback in his career. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed that Chimaev was hospitalized and severely ill, with White admitting uncertainty about the fighter's future given his recurring health issues. Bo Nickal, who was considered as Chimaev's replacement, expressed his disappointment and skepticism about Chimaev's condition, while Brendan Schaub suggested that Chimaev's unreliability might jeopardize his UFC career. Despite the concerns, Chimaev's manager, Majdi Shammas, remains optimistic about his recovery and return. Ikram Aliskerov will now step in to fight Whittaker in the event's main bout.