3 UFC fighters we want to see fight by the end of 2023
By Amy Kaplan
2023 has been a big year for the UFC. But there's been some names missing from the calendar this year so far that fans are itching to see back in action.
Here's a list of three fighters who haven't competed in 2023 yet ...
3. Khamzat Chimaev
We haven't seen Khamzat Chimaev since that fateful fight card in Sept. 2022. Chimaev's massive weight miss ahead of UFC 279 caused an upheaval of epic proportions. Three whole fights were rearranged in order to keep him on the card and he ended up submitting his new opponent Kevin Holland in quick fashion. But he's been MIA ever since.
The last rumors we have about the Chimaev fight is a matchup between he and former champion Kamaru Usman. But, according to Usman, who spoke to the media at UFC 290, he doesn't think the fight is all that realistic ... because of Chimaev.
“You want to fight? Cut the weight, and let’s fight. Be disciplined. He doesn’t want to do that anymore," Usman said. "You know, he’s got money now. He’s loving life, and he’s living good. He don’t want to cut the weight. He wants to eat, and he wants to move the goalposts for him. No, you want to be champion? This is the gold standard right here. Cut the weight and let’s make it happen.”